By Paul Freelend
UNO wrestling’s three-dual win streak came to an abrupt stop as the Mavericks fell to NCAA Division II No. 1 Central Oklahoma 29-7 and dropped their first-ever dual to No. 9 Nebraska-Kearney 18-12.
Consecutive bonus-point wins by Central Oklahoma’s Matt Dodgen and Michael Barreras propelled the Bronchos to their 14th straight win as UCO won eight of the 10 matches. Heavyweight Lance Tolstedt and Bob Edmonds, ranked fourth at 174 pounds, recorded the lone Maverick victories.
Fourth-ranked Jeff Henning (184 pounds) put UCO on top for good in the first match of the night, nipping No. 3 Zach Stalder 2-1 on the strength of a riding time point.
Roderick Ratcliff, ranked first at 141 pounds, got UNO off to a better start against UNK, decisioning No. 8 Chad Flores 4-2 to give the Mavs a quick 3-0 lead. The Lopers, though, would reel off four straight decisions to take a 12-3 lead.
Stalder and No. 2 Chad Wallace (197 pounds) put UNO back on track with a pair of decision wins. Tolstedt drew the Mavericks back on level terms with a 3-2 win, leveling the dual at 12-12.
Seventh-ranked Bryce Abbey (125 pounds) put UNK back on top, though, and Adam Keiswetter decisioned UNO’s Eli Dominguez 4-3 to give the Lopers the 18-12 win and their first dual win in the series between UNO and UNK.
UNO (9-4) will close out its regular season Feb. 15 with a home dual against Southwest State (Minn.). After that dual, the Mavericks will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D., Feb. 24 to compete for the North Central Conference championship.
