Three Huskers Qualify for NCAAs in Session One

Omaha- Nebraska sophomore 133-pound wrestler Dominick Moyer clinched his first trip to the NCAA Championships with his victory by injury default over Tyler McCormick of Missouri 6:21 into their semifinal match in the early session of the 2005 Big 12 Championships Saturday afternoon at Qwest Center OMAHA.

 

Moyer was one of three Huskers to reach tonight's finals and clinch a trip to nationals. Along with Moyer, Travis Pascoe clinched his fourth trip to nationals with a 10-5 win over Oklahoma's Justin Dyer at 184 pounds. B.J. Padden also punched his ticket to St. Louis at 197 pounds with a 5-3 win over Joel Flaggert of Oklahoma. Padden took a 4-3 lead with 1:12 to go in the match with a takedown, then earned a bonus point for 1:00 advantage in riding time.

 

Meanwhile, six NU wrestlers will wrestle for the right to wrestle for third place at the beginning of the second session, which is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. this afternoon. Matt Keller (125), Matt Murray (141), Travis Shufelt (149), B.J. Wright (157), Jacob Klein (165) and Jon May (HWT) will wrestle in the consolation semifinals to qualify for the third-place match. 

 

Moyer took down McCormick with 39 seconds left in the match. McCormick re-aggravated an injury he suffered earlier in the match, and was forced to take the injury default. 

 

In the 184-pound match, Pascoe took the lead for good with a takedown of Dyer with 24 seconds to go in the second period. Pascoe built his lead to 8-3 with 1:35 to go in the match and held on to win.

 

In the team race, OklahomaState leads with 71 team points, followed by IowaState and Oklahoma, with 32 and 29, respectively. Missouri and Nebraska are tied for fourth with 28. Action resumes with the consolation semifinals at 4 p.m.