Kearney, Neb. – The 2nd-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team had five individuals place in the top four at the Viking-Warrior Open Saturday in Fremont.

This non-team scoring tournament featured area schools with 10 Lopers competing.

On Friday, Kearney easily defeated the Warriors, 36-6, to earn its first dual win of the season.

At 133 lbs., true freshman Hunter Bamford (Kearney H.S.) was second with fellow first-year Loper Trey Trujillo (Grand Island H.S.) fourth.
One class higher, Lincoln sophomore Brett LaBudda came in fourth with Columbus junior Nick Ridgeway third and Schuyler sophomore Klay Kasik fourth, respectively, at 149 lbs.

Bamford recorded three falls to reach the first place bout, including one of former Loper Matt Katusin. Now at Lindenwood, he was the number one seed.

UNL sophomore Eric Montoya, the second seed, managed a 12-11 victory over Bamford to take the gold. Trujillo also lost to Montoya but rebounded to win four straight matches, two by fall and another by tech fall.

At 141 lbs., LaBudda (Lincoln SE) won three times, including an 8-1 decision over Air Force's Phil Hendrix. Finally, at 149 lbs., Ridgeway won five times after an opening round loss. That included two falls in under two minutes with his fifth victory coming by injury default over Kasik.

Before that setback, Kasik won four times, including a fall in 1:36.

Finally, Friday's 30-point dual victory featured falls by sophomores Romero Cotton (197 lbs.) and Ryan Bauer (133 lbs.) that each came in under 57 seconds. Auburn junior Matt Oliver, bumping up to 174 lbs., recorded a fall at 4:31 as well.

The UNK varsity is at the UCM Duals tomorrow afternoon with the Lopers heading to Virginia (varsity) and the Hastings Open (non-varsity) next weekend.