Kearney, Neb. – The 4th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team won the final four matches to rally past 11th-ranked Adams State, 21-15, Saturday night in Alamosa, Colo.
 
The Lopers are now 11-3 on the season while the Grizzlies fall to 4-4.
 
This matchup of former RMAC rivals featured five bouts decided by two points or less. Adams won three of them but the Lopers also recorded a fall and won three other classes by more than three points.
 
At 174 lbs., fourth-ranked senior Patrick Martinez (Hemet, Calif.) started the comeback by scoring five points in the third period to best Mario Garcia, 7-2.
 
Next, Seward senior Mark Fiala had two takedowns and three near fall points in the first period to roll past Nevada Bencomo, 11-4, with top-ranked sophomore Romero Cotton (Hutchinson, Kans.) pinning Dakota Bencomo late in the first period at 197 lbs.
 
To close out the night, senior heavyweight Kelsey Empting (Ponca City, Okla.) dominated the third period post a 4-1 win over Tuli Laulu.
 
In other matches, Central City sophomore Connor Bolling got out to a 6-1 lead and held on to win 9-7 at 125 lbs. with top-ranked Daniel DeShazer (Wichita, Kans.) scoring six points in the first period to hold off Martin Ramirez by a point at 133 lbs.
 
Finally, in a rare match up of No. 1 vs. No. 2, top-ranked Ryan Fillingame used two takedowns in the first period to beat senior Brock Coutu (Griswold, Conn.), 5-3, at 141 lbs.
 
UNK stays on the road next week to face MIAA foes Lindenwood and Truman.