Kearney, Neb. – The 2nd-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team won seven matches to easily defeat George Mason, 25-10, in a consolation bracket dual Friday in Hampton, Va.

This match was a part of the 34th Annual Virginia Duals, held in the Hampton Coliseum. The Lopers lost to 15th-ranked Virginia Tech, 27-6, on Friday morning.

UNK will now face 22nd-ranked Bloomsburg (Pa.) Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Central. The BU Huskies are an NCAA Division II school but compete at the D1 level in wrestling.

The win over the GMU Patriots (4-9) is UNK's fifth against a Division I school. The other victories came over Wyoming (2007 & 2008), Northwestern (2002) and Portland State (2006).

Central City sophomore Connor Bolling got Kearney off on the right foot by having a 17-9 major decision at 125 lbs. He had six takedowns and four near fall points to reach that total.  

At 149 lbs., Kansas junior Tyler Anderson was ahead 3-2 in the second period before he pinned Donald Takagi at the 4:39 mark, giving UNK a 13-4 lead.

That advantage could've been smaller had senior Brock Coutu (Griswold, Conn.) not finished with a flurry at 141 lbs. He managed to score five points in the last six seconds thanks to a takedown and three near fall points. That allowed him to edge Sahid Kargbo, 13-11.

Later, seniors Romero Cotton (197 lbs.), Mark Fiala (184 lbs.) and Patrick Martinez (174 lbs.) all won by decision, combining for 10 takedowns.