Kokesh, Green Win Southern Scuffle Crowns

Chattanooga, Tenn. – Senior All-Americans Robert Kokesh (174) and James Green (157) each captured weight class titles at the Defense Soap and Flips Wrestling Southern Scuffle at McKenzie Arena on Friday.

The Huskers finished fourth as a team with 116 points. Four-time defending national champion Penn State took home the team title with 165 points, while Missouri (150) and Oklahoma State (135.5) also notched top-three finishes.

Kokesh, the top-ranked wrestler at 174 pounds, completed his tournament run with a 3-2 decision over No. 4 Matt Brown of Penn State in the finals. Over the course of the Southern Scuffle, Kokesh collected three pins and one major decision. He improves to 21-0 on the season and wins his third tournament title.

Green, the No. 1 seed at 157 pounds, took down Jason Nolf of Penn State in the finals by a 7-4 margin. Green’s performance at the tournament included one pin and two major decisions over the span of five matches. He is now 18-1 this season and wins his second tournament title of the 2014-15 campaign.

No. 20 Anthony Abidin took third place at 141 pounds after a 6-1 showing during the two-day event. No. 17 Tim Lambert placed fifth with a 6-2 record at the Southern Scuffle. Unattached wrestler Tyler Berger (149) earned a sixth-place finish at the tournament, while 184-pounder TJ Dudley finished eighth.

Eric Montoya (133), Justin Arthur (149), Austin Wilson (165), Aaron Studebaker (184), Spencer Johnson (197), Micah Barnes (197) and Collin Jensen (HWT) also competed for the Huskers at the Southern Scuffle. Dustin Williams (165) and Derek White (197) each wrestled unattached at the tournament.

The Huskers return home to host Purdue next weekend at the Devaney Center. The dual, set for Jan. 9 at 7 p.m., will be part of Tumble N’ Rumble, which will also feature a Nebraska women’s gymnastics meet on the Devaney floor at the same time.

Tournament Finishes
125: No. 17 Tim Lambert (5th) 6-2
133: Eric Montoya (DNP) 3-2
141: No. 20 Anthony Abidin (3rd) 6-1
149: Justin Arthur (DNP) 3-2
149: Tyler Berger (unattached) (6th) 5-3
157: No. 2 James Green (1st) 5-0
165: No. 20 Austin Wilson (DNP) 2-2
165: Dustin Williams (unattached) (DNP) 0-2
174: No. 1 Robert Kokesh (1st) 6-0
184: No. 19 TJ Dudley (8th) 4-2
184: Aaron Studebaker (DNP) 4-2
197: Spencer Johnson (DNP – Medical Forfeit) 3-0
197: Micah Barnes (DNP) 1-2
197: Derek White (unattached) (DNP) 2-2
HWT: No. 14 Collin Jensen (DNP) 2-2