Two Huskers Earn Titles at UNK Holiday Inn Open

Kearney, Neb. – Several underclassmen delivered outstanding performances at the UNK Holiday Inn Open on Saturday, Nov. 17. Freshmen Alex Thomsen (125) and Peyton Robb (157), who competed unattached, each took home titles in their weight classes, combining to go 8-0 with four wins by bonus points. Thomsen won his bracket in the Grand View Open on Nov. 10, as well.

 

Jevon Parrish (133), a freshman from Olathe, Kan., had the best outing of his Huskers career this past weekend. He went 4-1 with four straight wins before losing by decision in the 133-pound championship, finishing in second place. Austin Emerson (HWT) also finished second in his weight class, winning his first two bouts by decision before losing in the championship. Emerson placed fifth at the Daktronics Open (Nov. 4) and third at the Grand View Open (Nov. 10) this fall.

 

Former Iowa State transfer and sophomore Zemua Baptista (149) won four out of his five matches on the way to a third place finish at the UNK Holiday Inn Open. He won three out of his four matches by fall, giving him five bonus point victories this year.

 

Another sophomore, Johnny Blankenship (165), also finished third in his weight class. Blankenship won five out of his six matches on Saturday, with two of his wins coming by bonus points. He wrapped up the weekend with a 20-2 tech. fall victory over Hunter Mullin from Western State College.

 

Colton Wolfe, a redshirt freshman from Columbus, Neb., took fifth place after going 3-2 at 184 pounds. Norfolk, Neb., native Caleb Licking (157) finished sixth, splitting his six matches. Two of his three wins were by bonus points.

 

Jordan Kelber (133), Anthony Gaona (197) and Cade Svoboda (197) did not place.

  

#12 Nebraska continues its season at the Cliff Keen Invitational Nov. 30-Dec. 1. The Huskers finished fifth out of 45 teams at the event last year.

 

UNK Holiday Inn Open – Nov. 17, 2018 
Kearney, Neb. – Buffalo County Fairgrounds

125: Alex Thomsen (Unattached) – 1st (4-0) 

133: Jordan Kelber (Unattached) – DNP (0-2) 

133: Jevon Parrish (Unattached) – 2nd (4-1) 
149: Zemua Baptista – 3rd (4-1) 
157: Caleb Licking – 6th (3-3) 

157: Peyton Robb (Unattached) – 1st (4-0) 

165: Johnny Blankenship – 3rd (5-1) 

184: Colton Wolfe – 5th (3-2) 

197: Anthony Gaona (Unattached) – DNP (3-2) 

197: Cade Svoboda– DNP (0-2) 
HWT: Austin Emerson (Unattached) – 2nd (2-1)