Mavericks Hit The Road Again
OMAHA, Neb. -- The Mavericks are on the road again this weekend, with duals scheduled against a pair of top-five opponents.
The Mavs will make a two-day trek of almost 1000 miles, stopping in Edmond, Okla. to face defending NCAA II national champions, and No. 3-ranked Central Oklahoma on Friday, Feb. 1, before heading to Kearney, Neb. to take on in-state rival, Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Both duals will be webcast live, and free of charge from the UNO Athletics website. Friday's dual against Central Oklahoma is set for 7 p.m., while Saturday's match between UNO and UNK will begin at 8 p.m.
Records & Rankings
The Mavericks remains No. 2 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. UNO has seven ranked individuals led by defending national champions Todd Meneely, who is ranked No. 1 at 149 pounds, and Cody Garcia, No. 1 at 125. Aaron Denson moved up to third at 165 this week, Ross Taplin is second at 174, and Brent Pankoke in No. 3 at 184. Jacob Marrs moved up one spot this week and is ranked second at 197 pounds, while Tony Lewis is ranked eighth at 285.
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 29th season as the Maverick 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 Mavericks to NCAA II national championships.
Last Week
Sophomore 184-pounder Brent Pankoke was named the North Central Conference Wrestler of the Week for his performances in duals last week on the road at Augsburg and St. Cloud State. Pankoke, ranked third in the latest Division II individual rankings, improved to 20-3 on the season by downing a pair of ranked opponents. On Friday night he defeated Robbie Gotreau of Augsburg, 5-3, before pinning Brad Padgett of St. Cloud State at the 2:33 mark. Gotreau is ranked eighth in NCAA Division III competition while Padgett is ranked No. 7 in NCAA Division II.
The Mavericks fell to NCAA III defending national champions Augsburg, 22-15, Jan. 25, before opening NCC conference action with a 25-16 win over No. 16 St. Cloud State University on Jan. 26. UNO moved their dual record to 4-2 on the year and 1-0 in the NCC.
On Deck
UNO returns home next week to host NCC foe, No. 1-ranked Minnesota State on Friday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Sapp Fieldhouse. UNO lost to MSU in the finals of the NWCA National Duals, 19-17, in January, but the Mavs still hold an 18-7 edge in the all-time series between the two.
The Mavs will make a two-day trek of almost 1000 miles, stopping in Edmond, Okla. to face defending NCAA II national champions, and No. 3-ranked Central Oklahoma on Friday, Feb. 1, before heading to Kearney, Neb. to take on in-state rival, Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Both duals will be webcast live, and free of charge from the UNO Athletics website. Friday's dual against Central Oklahoma is set for 7 p.m., while Saturday's match between UNO and UNK will begin at 8 p.m.
Records & Rankings
The Mavericks remains No. 2 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. UNO has seven ranked individuals led by defending national champions Todd Meneely, who is ranked No. 1 at 149 pounds, and Cody Garcia, No. 1 at 125. Aaron Denson moved up to third at 165 this week, Ross Taplin is second at 174, and Brent Pankoke in No. 3 at 184. Jacob Marrs moved up one spot this week and is ranked second at 197 pounds, while Tony Lewis is ranked eighth at 285.
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 29th season as the Maverick 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 Mavericks to NCAA II national championships.
Last Week
Sophomore 184-pounder Brent Pankoke was named the North Central Conference Wrestler of the Week for his performances in duals last week on the road at Augsburg and St. Cloud State. Pankoke, ranked third in the latest Division II individual rankings, improved to 20-3 on the season by downing a pair of ranked opponents. On Friday night he defeated Robbie Gotreau of Augsburg, 5-3, before pinning Brad Padgett of St. Cloud State at the 2:33 mark. Gotreau is ranked eighth in NCAA Division III competition while Padgett is ranked No. 7 in NCAA Division II.
The Mavericks fell to NCAA III defending national champions Augsburg, 22-15, Jan. 25, before opening NCC conference action with a 25-16 win over No. 16 St. Cloud State University on Jan. 26. UNO moved their dual record to 4-2 on the year and 1-0 in the NCC.
On Deck
UNO returns home next week to host NCC foe, No. 1-ranked Minnesota State on Friday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Sapp Fieldhouse. UNO lost to MSU in the finals of the NWCA National Duals, 19-17, in January, but the Mavs still hold an 18-7 edge in the all-time series between the two.
