Huskers Make Jump in Polls

Lincoln, Neb. ? Behind a first-place showing at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational this past weekend the Nebraska wrestling team jumped six spots from No. 9 to No. 3 in the latest W.I.N. magazine team rankings.

The Huskers are third behind Big 12 rivals, Oklahoma State and Iowa State.

The Huskers (5-0) are currently on eight-match dual winning streak dating back to last season. They captured the Cliff Keen Invitational by 22 points over then seventh-ranked Michigan. Missouri finished third with 118 points, while then-No. 1 Illinois finished fourth with 110 points. 

In the individual rankings, Jason Powell continued to hold the No. 1 spot at 125 pounds, while redshirt freshman Matt Keller made his first appearance in the ranking at No. 18 at 133 pounds. After a second-place finish at 141 pounds, junior Matt Murray entered the ranking for the first time in his career at No. 13.

Junior Travis Shufelt jumped to one spot from fifth to fourth at 149 pounds. Junior, 157-pounder B.J. Wright dropped from 14th to 18th, while Jacob Klein rose one spot from 15th to 14th at 165 pounds.

At 184 pounds, junior Travis Pascoe jumped from sixth to third after claiming the individual title in Las Vegas, while sophomore 197-pounder B.J. Padden and senior heavyweight Nathan McClain are ranked sixth and 16th, respectively.

The Huskers are off until Dec. 22, when they host the Nebraska Duals at the NU Coliseum.