UNO Looking For 4th Straight National Title
The fourth-ranked University of Nebraska at Omaha wrestling team will be looking for its fourth-consecutive national title when they travel to Kearney, Neb. to compete in the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships on Friday-Saturday, Mar. 9-10 at UNK's Health & Sports Center.
The Mavericks crowned two champions and qualified eight out of 10 wrestlers for the national tournament after placing third at the NCAA II North Regional on Feb. 25 in Moorhead, Minn. North Central Conference rival Minnesota State won the Regional, advancing all 10 wrestlers.
The Qualifiers
Jeff Rau (133) - 3rd place North Regional - Overall record - 19-18
Sim Bribieseca (141) - 3rd place North Regional - Overall record - 24-11
Todd Meneely (149) - 2nd place North Regional - Overall recod - 31-3
Ross Taplin (165) - 4th place North Regional - Overall record - 32-12
JD Naig (174) - North Regional champion - Overall record - 40-7
Austin Boehm (184) - North Regional champion - Overall record - 25-13
Jacob Marrs (197) - 3rd place North Regional - Overall record 35-7
Tony Lewis (285) - 3rd place North Regional - Overall record - 30-16
Records & Rankings
Nebraska-Omaha finished the regular season with a 6-5 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the North Central Conference. The Mavericks are ranked No. 4 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association top 20 poll released on Mar. 1. Seven Mavs are ranked among the top eight in individual rankings.
Two-time defending national champion JD Naig is ranked No. 1 at 174. Todd Meneely (149) is ranked second. Ross Taplin is fourth at 165. Jacob Marrs (197) is ranked fifth. Sim Bribieseca is sixth at 141. Austin Boehm (184) and Tony Lewis (285) are both ranked seventh.
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 28th season as the UNO head coach. The Dakota Wesleyan graduate has a 268-106-5 career mark. He has twice been named the NCAA II National Coach of the Year and led the 1991, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Mavs to NCAA II national championships.
The Mavericks crowned two champions and qualified eight out of 10 wrestlers for the national tournament after placing third at the NCAA II North Regional on Feb. 25 in Moorhead, Minn. North Central Conference rival Minnesota State won the Regional, advancing all 10 wrestlers.
The Qualifiers
Jeff Rau (133) - 3rd place North Regional - Overall record - 19-18
Sim Bribieseca (141) - 3rd place North Regional - Overall record - 24-11
Todd Meneely (149) - 2nd place North Regional - Overall recod - 31-3
Ross Taplin (165) - 4th place North Regional - Overall record - 32-12
JD Naig (174) - North Regional champion - Overall record - 40-7
Austin Boehm (184) - North Regional champion - Overall record - 25-13
Jacob Marrs (197) - 3rd place North Regional - Overall record 35-7
Tony Lewis (285) - 3rd place North Regional - Overall record - 30-16
Records & Rankings
Nebraska-Omaha finished the regular season with a 6-5 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the North Central Conference. The Mavericks are ranked No. 4 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association top 20 poll released on Mar. 1. Seven Mavs are ranked among the top eight in individual rankings.
Two-time defending national champion JD Naig is ranked No. 1 at 174. Todd Meneely (149) is ranked second. Ross Taplin is fourth at 165. Jacob Marrs (197) is ranked fifth. Sim Bribieseca is sixth at 141. Austin Boehm (184) and Tony Lewis (285) are both ranked seventh.
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 28th season as the UNO head coach. The Dakota Wesleyan graduate has a 268-106-5 career mark. He has twice been named the NCAA II National Coach of the Year and led the 1991, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Mavs to NCAA II national championships.
