Mavs Hope for Repeat in National Meet
The Mavericks host the NCAA II tournament this weekend at Lee & Helene Sapp Fieldhouse. The Friday sessions will be at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday's first session is at 10 a.m. and the finals will begin at 7 p.m. Results will be regularly updated on the UNO Athletics web page. A total of 33 teams will be entered in the tournament.
Records & Rankings
The Mavericks ended the dual season with a 9-2 record and are ranked No. 2 in the latest NWCA Division II poll. Seven Mavs are ranked among the top eight in their weight classes, led by JD Naig, 165 pounds, and Les Sigman, heavyweight, both No. 1.
Television Coverage
The finals will be covered live by UNO Television and will be carried on NET2, statewide cable, in Nebraska. It will also be webcast live, with a link on the UNO Athletics web page.
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 26th season as the Maverick head coach. The Dakota Wesleyan graduate has a 252-101-5 career mark. He has twice been named the NCAA II National Coach of the Year and led the 1991and the 2004 Mavericks to NCAA II national championships.
The Qualifiers
125 Dustin Tovar (Sr., Abilene, Kan.; 22-9; ranked No. 3)
133 Dan Hilario (Jr., Omaha; 13-6; ranked No. 4)
141 Eli Dominguez (Sr., Omaha; 32-7; ranked No. 4)
149 Shane Unger (RF, Madison, Neb.; 32-9; ranked No. 2)
157 Patrick Allibone (So., Sioux City, Iowa; 31-7; ranked No. 4)
165 J.D. Naig (So., Emmetsburg, Iowa; 20-4; ranked No. 1)
174 Steve Conlin (So., Omaha; 26-11)
197 Ben Strandberg (So., Emmetsburg, Iowa; 15-21)
Hwt Les Sigman (Jr., Sturgis, S.D.; 25-2; ranked No. 1)
Last Year
The Mavericks captured their second NCAA II wrestling title in 2004 at Mankato, Minn., with a slim 97.5-95 victory over second-place North Dakota State. The Mavs had six All-Americans and one champion, heavyweight Les Sigman, who recorded his second straight national title. All-Americans Dustin Tovar (2nd), Eli Dominguez (3rd), Patrick Allibone (2nd) and JD Naig (3rd) return. Mitch Waite, who was sevneth at 133 last year, suffered a season-ending injury in February and has been replaced in the lineup by junior Dan Hilario, who is ranked No. 4 and is a three-time national qualifier.
Records & Rankings
The Mavericks ended the dual season with a 9-2 record and are ranked No. 2 in the latest NWCA Division II poll. Seven Mavs are ranked among the top eight in their weight classes, led by JD Naig, 165 pounds, and Les Sigman, heavyweight, both No. 1.
Television Coverage
The finals will be covered live by UNO Television and will be carried on NET2, statewide cable, in Nebraska. It will also be webcast live, with a link on the UNO Athletics web page.
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 26th season as the Maverick head coach. The Dakota Wesleyan graduate has a 252-101-5 career mark. He has twice been named the NCAA II National Coach of the Year and led the 1991and the 2004 Mavericks to NCAA II national championships.
The Qualifiers
125 Dustin Tovar (Sr., Abilene, Kan.; 22-9; ranked No. 3)
133 Dan Hilario (Jr., Omaha; 13-6; ranked No. 4)
141 Eli Dominguez (Sr., Omaha; 32-7; ranked No. 4)
149 Shane Unger (RF, Madison, Neb.; 32-9; ranked No. 2)
157 Patrick Allibone (So., Sioux City, Iowa; 31-7; ranked No. 4)
165 J.D. Naig (So., Emmetsburg, Iowa; 20-4; ranked No. 1)
174 Steve Conlin (So., Omaha; 26-11)
197 Ben Strandberg (So., Emmetsburg, Iowa; 15-21)
Hwt Les Sigman (Jr., Sturgis, S.D.; 25-2; ranked No. 1)
Last Year
The Mavericks captured their second NCAA II wrestling title in 2004 at Mankato, Minn., with a slim 97.5-95 victory over second-place North Dakota State. The Mavs had six All-Americans and one champion, heavyweight Les Sigman, who recorded his second straight national title. All-Americans Dustin Tovar (2nd), Eli Dominguez (3rd), Patrick Allibone (2nd) and JD Naig (3rd) return. Mitch Waite, who was sevneth at 133 last year, suffered a season-ending injury in February and has been replaced in the lineup by junior Dan Hilario, who is ranked No. 4 and is a three-time national qualifier.
