Kearney, Neb. - The 9th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team won nine weight classes to beat Mesa State, 37-6, Thursday night in Grand Junction, Colo.

The Lopers improve to 16-3 (6-1 RMAC) with the Mavericks dropping to 7-8 (4-5 RMAC). Outside of a 20-19 win over No. 13 Western State on Wednesday, UNK has won its last three league duals by a combined score of 137-6.

Senior heavyweight Ben Hohensee (Monett, Mo.) recorded a fall in just 55 seconds to close the night out with juniors Dalton Jensen (Missouri Valley, Ia.) and T.J. Hepburn (East Hampton, Conn.) having back-to-back pins at 141 and 149 lbs., respectively.

Hepburn, ranked second nationally, is now 30-3 on the season and 74-12 in his Loper career. The 74 wins tie him for 32nd on UNK's all-time list.

Also scoring bonus points was sophomore Nick Bauman (Brighton, Colo.), who majored Korey Kennedy, 12-1, at 197 lbs.

There were a couple of close battles as sophomore Stephen Weimer (Clovis, Calif.) used a first period takedown to edge Tyler Nelson, 3-2, at 133 lbs., with sophomore Ross Brunkhardt (Merino, Colo.) scoring a takedown with 20 seconds left to win in sudden victory, 3-1, at 184 lbs.

Finally, junior Caleb Kociemba (Hillsboro, Ore.) escaped with nine seconds left in the second period to slip past Zak Slotten, 1-0, at 174 lbs.

UNK hosts Fort Hays State next Thursday (Feb. 17) in the regular season finale for both teams.