Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team opened up its 2010-11 season this past Saturday with a group of young Lopers competing at the York College Open.

The non-team scoring event included the host Panthers and others from other Nebraska NAIA schools.

Winning their weight class was junior Raufeon Stots (149 lbs.), sophomores Nick Bauman (197 lbs.), Ross Brunkhardt (174 lbs.) and Josh Smith (125 lbs.), redshirt freshman Mike Swanson (184 lbs.) and true freshmen Alec Chanthapatheth (133 lbs.), Matt Oliver (157 lbs.) and Tanner Sturgeon (165 lbs.).

A transfer from Labette C.C. (Kan.), Stots (Houston, Texas) had two major decisions en route to his first place finish while Bauman (Brighton, Colo.) beat teammates Nate Westerby (2:33) and Caleb Kociemba (4-3) to win his class.

Brunkhardt (Merino, Colo.) had to edge Hastings All-American Jameon Rush, 6-4 in sudden victory, to reach the second round. There, he beat Kody Kersten, 5-0, to place first. Next, Smith (Houston, Texas) won two matches by decision and used a tech fall to win the 125 lbs. class.

Swanson (Dannebrog), a former college football player, had a pin and a 10-5 decision in his first appearance as a Loper while Chanthapatheth (Grand Island) beat teammate Brody Mayberry (Aurora), who began his career at York College, to win the 133 title.

Finally, Oliver (Auburn) used two falls and a decision to win at 157 lbs. with Sturgeon (Cozad) beating fellow Loper Zach Starostka (G.I. Central Catholic) in the 165 lbs. title match.

UNK has its annual Blue/Gold Scrimmage this Saturday night and then travels to Wyoming on Nov. 13th.