Session 5: Dwyer Takes Fourth at NCAA Championships

Qwest Center Omaha - Senior Stephen Dwyer ended his All-American career with a fourth-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Championships at Qwest Center Omaha on Saturday morning. Dwyer wrestled in the consolation bracket, winning by major decision over No. 10 Jordan Blanton of Illinois to reach the consolation final, where he then fell to No. 3 Chris Henrich of Virginia.

Dwyer finishes an impressive Husker career with a 106-35 record, including a 28-5 mark as a senior. With his fourth-place finish at this year's nationals, Dwyer earned All-America honors for the second time after also doing so in 2008 at 165 pounds. He is just the seventh Husker in school history to claim an All-America award in two separate weight divisions.

A native of Rockton, Ill., Dwyer ended the 2010 NCAA Championships with a 9-1 defeat at the hands of No. 3 Chris Henrich of Virginia. Dwyer trailed just 2-1 after the first period, but suffered from a pair of 2-point near falls in the second and third periods that resulted in his fifth loss of the season, all of which came to opponents ranked in the top 10, including four in the top five.

Prior to the consolation final, Dwyer came out strong Friday morning with a major decision victory over No. 10 Jordan Blanton of Illinois. Dwyer delivered the first takedown only eight seconds into the match, and then rode Blanton until he rolled his opponent over for a 3-point near fall as the first period ended. Dwyer added an escape in the second and earned another takedown in the third period to secure the major decision win, 9-0.

Dwyer was extremely dominant in his four victories at the NCAA Championships, not allowing a single point in wins over Brad Darrington (Utah Valley), Dorian Henderson (Missouri), Jarion Beets (Northern Iowa) and Blanton (Illinois). The Husker senior fell to the consolation bracket after a hard-fought 3-2 loss against No. 1 Mack Lewnes (Cornell) in Friday night's semifinals.

Dwyer's senior season was highlighted by his 100th career victory on Feb. 21 in Ames, Iowa and the 2010 Big 12 title on March 6 in Norman, Okla. He is one of only 18 Huskers in the program's prestigious 100-win club.

The 2010 NCAA Championships conclude with tonight's finals session at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN. Senior Craig Brester will square off with No. 1 Jake Varner (Iowa State) in the 197-pound national title match. Both Brester and Dwyer will be part of the "Parade of All-Americans" at 6:05 p.m.

2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Nebraska Results
Session 5
Qwest Center Omaha
March 20, 2010

Consolations: #4 Stephen Dywer (Nebraska) wins by major decision over #10 Jordan Blanton (Illinois)
First Period...2:52, Dwyer takedown, 2-0...0:00, Dwyer 3-pt near fall, 5-0...Second Period...Dywer chooses down...0:37, Dwyer escape, 6-0...0:50, Dywer takedown, 8-0...Dwyer riding time advantage, 2:16, 9-0

Consolation Final (Third Place): #3 Chris Henrich (Virginia) wins by major decision over #4 Stephen Dwyer (Nebraska)
First Period...0:16, Henrich takedown, 0-2...0:07, Dywer escape, 1-2...Second Period...Dwyer chooses down...0:02...Henrich 2-pt near fall, 1-4...Third Period...Henrich chooses down...1:35, Henrich reversal, 1-6...0:30, Henrich 2-pt near fall, 1-8..Henrich riding time advantage, 3:28, 1-9