Kearney, Neb. – The 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team won five straight matches and sophomore heavyweight Jarrod Hinrichs pulled another upset to help the Lopers beat 10th-ranked Central Oklahoma, 20-12, Thursday night at Kearney High.

UNK (20-1, 4-0) hosts the Newman Jets Sunday at 3 p.m. to close out the regular season. By winning tonight, the Lopers earn at least a share of the MIAA regular season title.

The Bronchos (13-4, 4-1) went up 6-0 after wins by second-ranked Eli Hale at 125 pounds, 8-3, and junior Blake Dauphin, 7-3, at 133 pounds. Dauphin recorded a take down and 2-near fall points to best 11th-ranked Bryce Shoemaker (Baldwin City, Kan.) in the first sudden victory period.

The Lopers rolled from there, however, taking the next five classes. Kansas sophomore Tevin Briscoe (141 lbs.) amassed six takedowns in a 20-3 tech fall and then second-ranked Keith Surber (Sparta, Ill.) scored six in the second period to blank seventh-ranked Will Steltzen, 7-0, at 149 pounds.

Kearney continued to dominate as Colorado junior Zach Stodden (174 lbs.) had a 17-6 major and Pennsylvania true freshman Brayden Wills (165 lbs.) had three takedowns as part of a 7-2 win. Finally, Iowa redshirt freshman Matt Malcom upset 11th-ranked Bryan Dutton, 8-2, thanks to six early points.

UCO bounced back to win at 184 and 197 pounds, setting up Hinrichs (Geneva) and fourth-ranked Caleb Cotter to close the night. Riding a 17-match win streak, Hinrichs bested the 2017 All-American by a 5-4 score thanks to a third period escape. During the match, Cotter was dinged twice for stalling.

Hinrichs is now 31-6 (18-0 vs. D2 wrestlers) and has beaten five ranked wrestlers during a win streak that dates back to early December. No. 8 Dalton Weidl of NU is up next.