Huskers Set to Compete at Daktronics Open

The fifth-ranked Nebraska (2-0) wrestling team will send 13 wrestlers to Brookings, S.D., this weekend to compete in the Warren Williamson / Daktronics Open. Hosted by South Dakota State University, the competition will take place in the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex and can be streamed on FloWrestling (subscription required) beginning at 9 a.m. on Sunday. 

The Daktronics Open has become one of the nation's premiere open tournaments over the years. The 2019 edition will feature competitors from No. 5 Nebraska, No. 6 Minnesota and South Dakota State among other schools. 

The individual Huskers competing are as follows: 

125: Alex Thomsen (3-2) 
133: Tucker Sjomeling (0-0) 
141: Jordan Kelber (0-0) 
141: Christian Miller (2-2) 
149: Zemua Baptista (3-1) 
149: Caleb Licking (3-1) 
157: Jake Silverstein (0-2) 
165: Johnny Blankenship (3-1) 
165: Dalton Peters (4-1) 
184: Colton Wolfe (2-2) 
197: Cade Svoboda (0-0) 
HWT: Austin Emerson (0-0) 

Last Time Out:  
The Big Red traveled to Troy, N.Y., last weekend, with 15 individuals competing in the Journeymen Collegiate Classic. Six Huskers took first place in their respective weight-class pools and an additional six NU grapplers recorded runner-up finishes. Collin Purinton (149A), Peyton Robb (157B), #5 Isaiah White (165A), Dalton Peters (165E) and Eric Schultz (197A) all earned first-place finishes. Returning All-Americans #7 Chad Red Jr. (141A), #3 Mikey Labriola (174A) and #3 Taylor Venz (184A) all advanced to the championship matches in the 'A' pool of their respective weight classes before falling to ranked foes. Caleb Licking (149B), Johnny Blankenship (157B) and David Jensen (285B) also recorded runner-up finishes. No team scores were recorded. 

Huskers Hold Firm in NWCA Poll:
Following dominant season-opening performances against in-state Division II foes No. 24 Chadron State (37-3) and No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney (47-(minus-1)), the Huskers (2-0) maintained the No. 5 spot in the most recent NWCA poll released on Nov. 12. Following the Daktronics Open, the Huskers host Wyoming (which dropped out of the polls from the No. 24 spot this week) on Friday, Nov. 22, before traveling to No. 14 Northern Iowa on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Daktronics Open Rewind: 
NU put forth a strong showing at the 2018 Daktronics Open. 25 Huskers made the trip overall and 18 placed in the top six of their weight class, including six top-three finishers. Mikey Labriola took home first-place at 174 pounds. Christian Miller (133 pounds) took second place. Tucker Sjomeling (133), Johnny Blankenship (165), Eric Schultz (197) and Christian Lance (285) each took third place.