McTorry Leads Huskers at Great Plains Open

Lincoln, Neb.--Junior Charles McTorry earned Outstanding Wrestler honors at the eighth-annual Great Plains Open to lead the eighth-ranked Nebraska wrestling team to a successful showing Sunday afternoon at the Bob Devaney Sports Center indoor track.

McTorry, who is currently ranked ninth, won the 184-pound title by defeating No. 4 Doug Lee of Oregon, 17-7. On Dec. 19 at the Reno Challenge, McTorry defeated Lee, 20-18, to take the 184-pound title in a match that McTorry almost lost after blowing a 12-3 advantage.

The fourth-ranked Minnesota wrestling team earned a total of four individual titles as the Golden Gophers dominated the field. Chad Erickson of Minnesota earned Most Falls honors with three.

Other Huskers placing are as follows: Jason Powell, 125 pounds, 4th; No. 13 Todd Beckerman, 133 pounds, 2nd; Justin Flores, 141 pounds, 2nd; Travis Baker, 141 pounds, 6th; Matt Fletcher, 165 pounds, 4th; Tony Denke, 165 pounds, 6th; Ati Conner, 174 pounds, 2nd; Joshua Naus, 197 pounds, 4th; Pat Miron, heavyweight, 6th.

NU returns to action on Friday, Jan. 7, when it travels to Minneapolis to take on the 4th-ranked Golden Gophers of Minnesota. The dual is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

2000 Great Plains Open Championship Results
125 Leroy Vega (Minn.) dec. Matt Holman (OSU), 8-4
133 Johnny Thompson (OSU) dec. Todd Beckerman (NU), 3-2
141 Jeremy Spates (Missouri) inj. def. Justin Flores (NU)
149 Jarod Lawrence (Minn.) maj. dec. Jeff Urban (Missouri), 10-2
157 Tyrone Lewis (Un.-OSU) dec. Joe Carr (West Virginia), 6-0
165 Jeremy Sell (Wyom.) dec. John Hardy (Minn.), 8-6
174 John Kopnisky (Missouri) dec. Delaney Barger (Minn.), 5-4
184 Charles McTorry (NU) maj. dec. Doug Lee (Oregon), 17-7
197 Owen Elzan (Minn.) dec. Waymen May (Okla.), 14-8
HWT Garrett Lowney (Minn.) dec. Sean Hage (West Virginia), 5-3