Huskers Claim Virginia Duals Title

Hampton, Va.-- The University of Nebraska wrestling team claimed its second team title of the season as they defeated seventh-ranked Lehigh, 25-13, Saturday night at the Hampton Coliseum. The Huskers claimed the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 5-6.

The Huskers reached the final match after defeating No. 12 Arizona State, 37-(-1) in the semi finals. Nebraska won all ten matches, while Arizona State lost a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct resulting in a negative score. With the two victories on Saturday, NU improves to 13-1 on the season.

In the championship match, NU jumped out to a 6-0 lead with top-ranked Jason Powell’s 18th straight win over No. 14 Mario Stuart. After Lehigh responded with back-to-back victories, NU won the next two matches, highlighted by No. 17 B.J. Wright’s upset victory over fourth ranked and All-American Derek Zinck, 7-2.

Lehigh answered with back-to-back wins give them a 13-12 lead heading into the final three weight classes. NU regained the lead with fourth-ranked Travis Pascoe’s 12-4 major decision over eighth-ranked Travis Frick at 184 pounds. After the Pascoe victory, Lehigh dropped the final two matches to gave the Huskers the championship.

"We defeated two outstanding programs today in Arizona State and Lehigh," Head Coach Manning said. "Right now everyone is working hard and looking out for each other. We are just working harder and conditioning more than the other people on the mats. Our guys are really believing in themselves."

In the semifinal match against the Sun Devils, the Huskers were led by three grapplers who recorded upsets. Wright scored a 6-2 decision over 12th-ranked Brian Stith, while James Pummel recorded a 6-3 decision over No. 19 Ron Renzi. The biggest upset of the match happended at 197-pounds as No. 8 B.J. Padden defeated the third-ranked wrestler in his weight class, as he scored an 8-2 victory over Ryan Bader

"B.J. Padden’s performance today was just dominating," Manning said. " He wrestled extremely well today against the second-ranked wrestler in the country."

The Huskers return to action next Friday, Jan. 16, as they travel to Colorado Springs,Colo. for a dual against Air Force beginning at 8 p.m.

#8 Nebraska 25, #7 Lehigh 13
125 #1 Jason Powell (NU) by fall over #14 Mario Stuart (LH), NU 6, LH 0
133 Matt Ciasulli (LH) decision over #18 Matt Keller (NU),9-7 NU 6, LH 3
141 #8 Corey Cooperman (LH) decision over #12 Matt Murray (NU),7-5 NU 6, LH 6
149 #5 Travis Shufelt (NU) decision over Matt Anderson (LH),9-4 NU 9, LH 6
157 #17 B.J. Wright (NU) decision over #4 Derek Zinck (LH),7-2 NU 12, LH 6
165 #1 Troy Letters (LH) decision over #15 Jacob Klein (NU),10-4 NU 12, LH 9
174 #2 Brad Dillon (LH) by major decision over James Pummel (NU) ,14-5 NU 12, LH 13
184 #4 Travis Pascoe (NU) by major decision over #8 Travis Frick (LH),12-4 NU 16, LH 13
197 #8 B.J. Padden (NU) by fall over Matt Cassidy (LH), NU 22, LH 13
HWT #13 Nathan McClain (NU) decision over Paul Wiebel (LH),8-2 NU 25, LH 13

#8 Nebraska 37, #12 Arizona State -1
125 #1 Jason Powell (NU) decision over Christian Staylr ( ASU), 4-0 NU 3, ASU 0
133 #18 Matt Keller (NU) decision over #7 Mike Simpson (ASU), 8-6 NU 6, ASU 0
141 #12 Matt Murray (NU) by fall over Jeremy Mendoza (ASU), 2:20 NU 12, ASU 0
149 #5 Travis Shufelt (NU) decision over #12 Patrick Williams (ASU), 9-5 NU 15, ASU 0
157 #17 B.J. Wright (NU) decision over #12 Brian Stith (ASU), 6-2 NU 18, ASU 0
165 #15 Jacob Klein (NU) decision over Jaime Robbins (ASU), 9-3 NU 21, ASU 0
174 James Pummel (NU) decision over #19 Ron Renzi (ASU), 6-3 NU 24, ASU 0
184 #4 Travis Pascoe (NU) wins by forfeit NU 30, ASU 0
197 #8 B.J. Padden (NU) decision over #3 Ryan Bader (ASU), 8-2 NU 33, ASU 0
HWT #13 Nathan McClain (NU) by major decision Andrew Luckenbill (ASU), 14-3 NU 37, ASU -1
(Arizona State deducted one team point)