Kearney, Neb. – The 3rd-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team returns to the mats this weekend with a trip to Fremont and Warrensburg, Mo.

The Lopers take on the Warriors Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in a dual and then stick around for the annual Viking-Warrior Open on Saturday. That non-team scoring event begins at 9:00 a.m.

On Sunday, UNK duals Mary, N.D. (12:00 p.m.), Minot State, N.D. (1:30 p.m.) and NAIA member Baker, Kans. (3:00 p.m.) as part of the Central Missouri Dual Jamboree.

Over the break, four Lopers competed unattached in the 51st Annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships at Northwestern. At 184 lbs., eighth-ranked Mark Fiala (Seward) managed a 5-2 win over Deshoun White of Southern Illinois in a consolation match.

Both Fiala and sophomore Connor Bolling (125 lbs.) ran into their brackets top seed in the opening round. Fiala fell to Iowa's Ethen Lofthouse, the eventual runner up, with Bolling (Central City) losing to Jesse Delgado of Illinois.

Midland, ranked 19th in the NAIA, is off to a 2-0 start, earning wins over two Iowa schools in Briar Cliff and Northwestern. Three Warriors are nationally ranked in Lonnie Brown (6th/285 lbs.), Sterling Terry (5th/165 lbs.) and Tyler McMichael (12th/157 lbs.)

In the latest Division II national rankings, Trevor Johnson of Mary is ranked seventh at 149 lbs. with the Baker Wildcats ranked 17th in the NAIA.

UNK's busy January continues next weekend when they take part in the Division I-Virginia Duals. The opponents for that tournament have yet to be announced.