Mavs Host No. 3 Bronchos, No. 1 Lopers This Week
The University of Nebraska at Omaha wrestling team will host a pair of non-conference duals this week against two of the nation's top NCAA Division II teams. UNO will entertain third-ranked Central Oklahoma on Friday, Feb. 2 and top-ranked Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, Feb. 3. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. at the Lee & Helene Sapp Fieldhouse.
Watch Live
Both of this week's duals will be broadcast live on NET2 (Cox Ch. 16). Former Maverick All-American R.J. Nebe will call the play-by-play with Torri Pantaleon providing color commentary. The matches will also be broadcast live over the internet by going to the following address.
Records & Rankings
The Mavericks are ranked No. 2 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association top 20 poll released on Jan. 24. Seven Mavs are ranked among the top eight in individual rankings.
Four Mavericks are ranked No. 1 in their respective weight class, including: Cody Garcia (125), Todd Meneely (149), Ross Taplin (165), and JD Naig (174). Jacob Marrs (197) is ranked second, Tony Lewis (285) is seventh, and Sim Bribieseca (141) is ranked eighth.
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 28th season as the Maverick head coach. The Dakota Wesleyan graduate has a 267-103-5 career mark. He has twice been named the NCAA II National Coach of the Year and led the 1991, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Mavericks to NCAA II national championships.
Last Week
Augsburg College, the No. 1 team in NCAA Division III, won five of the first six bouts, then held off the Mavericks for a 23-13 victory last Friday night at the Sapp Fieldhouse. The Auggies won the first three matches to build an 11-0 lead before sophomore Todd Meneely scored an 11-4 decision over Jared Evans at 149 pounds cutting the team score to 11-3. UNO freshman Jeff Rau scored a near upset at 133 when he forced six overtime periods before losing on a reversal to No. 1 ranked and unbeaten Jarari Vanier. Augsburg won at 157 and 165 for a 17-3 lead, but the Mavs came back with a major decision by JD Naig at 174 to knock the margin down to 17-7. However, Augsburg clinched the match when George Lynaugh pinned freshman Austin Boehm at 184. The Mavericks responded with wins by Jacob Marrs and Tony Lewis in the final two bouts.
In a matchup of defending national champions, the Mavericks defeated the NAIA's fifth-ranked Dana, 26-9, in Blair. Nebraska-Omaha won seven of 10 matches in the dual, highlighted by top-ranked JD Naig's pin over Josh Ghobadpoor in 3:21 at 174 pounds. UNO also got bonus points when Todd Meneely (141) won by technical fall over Brian Graham, 23-7, in 5:31. Boehm (184) earned his first career dual victory with an 8-3 win over seventh-ranked Webster Farris.
On Deck
UNO will resume North Central Conference action next week when they head to Mankato, Minn. for a 7 p.m. dual at fourth-ranked Minnesota State, Mankato.
Watch Live
Both of this week's duals will be broadcast live on NET2 (Cox Ch. 16). Former Maverick All-American R.J. Nebe will call the play-by-play with Torri Pantaleon providing color commentary. The matches will also be broadcast live over the internet by going to the following address.
Records & Rankings
The Mavericks are ranked No. 2 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association top 20 poll released on Jan. 24. Seven Mavs are ranked among the top eight in individual rankings.
Four Mavericks are ranked No. 1 in their respective weight class, including: Cody Garcia (125), Todd Meneely (149), Ross Taplin (165), and JD Naig (174). Jacob Marrs (197) is ranked second, Tony Lewis (285) is seventh, and Sim Bribieseca (141) is ranked eighth.
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 28th season as the Maverick head coach. The Dakota Wesleyan graduate has a 267-103-5 career mark. He has twice been named the NCAA II National Coach of the Year and led the 1991, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Mavericks to NCAA II national championships.
Last Week
Augsburg College, the No. 1 team in NCAA Division III, won five of the first six bouts, then held off the Mavericks for a 23-13 victory last Friday night at the Sapp Fieldhouse. The Auggies won the first three matches to build an 11-0 lead before sophomore Todd Meneely scored an 11-4 decision over Jared Evans at 149 pounds cutting the team score to 11-3. UNO freshman Jeff Rau scored a near upset at 133 when he forced six overtime periods before losing on a reversal to No. 1 ranked and unbeaten Jarari Vanier. Augsburg won at 157 and 165 for a 17-3 lead, but the Mavs came back with a major decision by JD Naig at 174 to knock the margin down to 17-7. However, Augsburg clinched the match when George Lynaugh pinned freshman Austin Boehm at 184. The Mavericks responded with wins by Jacob Marrs and Tony Lewis in the final two bouts.
In a matchup of defending national champions, the Mavericks defeated the NAIA's fifth-ranked Dana, 26-9, in Blair. Nebraska-Omaha won seven of 10 matches in the dual, highlighted by top-ranked JD Naig's pin over Josh Ghobadpoor in 3:21 at 174 pounds. UNO also got bonus points when Todd Meneely (141) won by technical fall over Brian Graham, 23-7, in 5:31. Boehm (184) earned his first career dual victory with an 8-3 win over seventh-ranked Webster Farris.
On Deck
UNO will resume North Central Conference action next week when they head to Mankato, Minn. for a 7 p.m. dual at fourth-ranked Minnesota State, Mankato.
