Five Huskers Capture Cyclone Open Crowns

Ames, Iowa – Five Husker wrestlers won weight class titles at the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday.

Two-time All-American TJ Dudley (184) earned a pin and two technical falls in his first three bouts before winning his final match by medical forfeit. As a result, freshman Taylor Venz collected runner-up honors at 184 pounds.

All-American Eric Montoya won all four of his matches on Sunday en route to the 133-pound title. Montoya, the No. 4-ranked wrestler by InterMat, had one technical fall before defeating No. 5 Earl Hall (Iowa State) in the finals, 5-3.

Reigning NCAA qualifiers Tim Lambert (125) and Tyler Berger (157) also posted perfect records at the Cyclone Open. Lambert, the No. 11-ranked wrestler by InterMat, had one pin and one technical fall on Sunday. Berger, ranked eighth by InterMat, earned one pin, one technical fall and one major decision en route to winning his weight class.

At 141 pounds, Colton McCrystal defeated Chad Red in the finals by a 13-9 decision. Collin Purinton also placed, finishing fifth with a 4-2 showing in Ames.

Dustin Williams (165), Eric Schultz (197) and Collin Jensen (HWT) each made it to the finals, but ultimately took second place. NCAA qualifiers Micah Barnes (174) and Aaron Studebaker (197) each finished third.

Additional Huskers to place included Kris Williams (fifth at 125), Justin Arthur (fifth at 165), David Jensen (fifth at heavyweight), Jordan Shearer (sixth at 149) and Jaquon Sowell (sixth at 165).

The Huskers open their dual season at the Devaney Center on Friday against West Virginia, starting at 7 p.m. (CT).

Harold Nichols Cyclone Open (Nov. 13, 2016)
125: Kris Williams – 5th (4-2)
125: #11 Tim Lambert – 1st (5-0)
125: Mitchell Maginnis – DNP (3-2)
133: #4 Eric Montoya – 1st (4-0)
133: Brian Peska – DNP (3-2)
141: Chad Red (unattached) – 2nd (4-1)
141: Collin Purinton – 5th (4-1)
141: Aris Shino – DNP (3-2)
141: Colton McCrystal – 1st (6-0)
149: Caleb Licking (unattached) – DNP (1-2)
149: Jordan Shearer – 6th (3-3)
157: Luke Weber (unattached) – DNP (2-2)
157: #8 Tyler Berger – 1st (5-0)
165: Dalton Peters (unattached) – DNP (1-2)
165: Johnny Blankenship (unattached) – DNP (3-2)
165: Jaquon Sowell – 6th (4-3)
165: Jay Sornson (unattached) – DNP (0-2)
165: Justin Arthur – 5th (5-2)
165: Regan Bye (unattached) – DNP (2-2)
165: Dustin Williams – 2nd (4-1)
174: #16 Micah Barnes – 3rd (5-1)
174: Eric Engler – DNP (3-2)
184: Taylor Venz (unattached) – 2nd (3-0)
184: Cade Svoboda (unattached) – DNP (0-2)
184: #4 TJ Dudley – 1st (4-0)
197: #6 Aaron Studebaker – 3rd (5-1)
197: Eric Schultz (unattached) – 2nd (4-1)
HWT: David Jensen – 5th (4-2)
HWT: #12 Collin Jensen – 2nd (4-1)
HWT: Patrick Grayson – DNP (2-2)