Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head wrestling coach Dalton Jensen today announced the names of eight high school seniors who'll take to the mats next winter for the Lopers.

 

The in-state newcomers are Drew Arnold (Beatrice H.S.), Daniel DeRosier (Bellevue East H.S.), and Dylan Vodicka (David City H.S.). Coming from outside Nebraska are Tyler Collins (Wray, Colo.), Beau Hostler (Broomfield, Colo.), Jackson Kinsella (Creston, Ia.), Fabian Lopez (Ovid, Colo.), and Briar Reisz (Logan, Ia.). Jensen noted UNK will add some more newcomers to the 2021-22 roster later this academic year. 

UNK's current roster features a stellar senior class. The NCAA Division II Presidents Council has granted an eligibility waiver (i.e. a "free year") for winter sport student-athletes this year due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.
 

Arnold (Blue Springs, Neb.) will compete at 133/141 pounds for the Lopers. He has 119 career wins to date and is a three-time state placer, finishing third in Class B last winter at 120 pounds. Outside of the high school season, Arnold placed in the top five at the 2019 USA Pre and Post Season Nationals.

"Drew is a very savvy and confident wrestler. The way he approaches his training and matches, he is sure to have success at this level," Jensen said.

DeRosier (Bellevue) has a career record of 109-27 and has also placed three times at state. He has back-to-back four place finishes in Class A, first at 126 pounds and then at 132 pounds. DeRosier, slated to be at 141 pounds for UNK, was sixth at the 2020 USA Post-Season Nationals.

"Daniel has put in a ton of time in the off season both in his training and competition. His club coach, Keith Massey, was also my club coach. We are looking forward to working with Daniel in the years to come," Jensen said.

A member of the 2020 Class C state championship team at David City High, Vodicka (Garrison, Neb.) helped the Scouts cause by winning the 170-pound state title. He went 49-3 as a junior to push his career win total to 131. He also cracked the top six at state in each of his first two seasons. Vodicka will be either at 174 or 184 pounds in college. 

"Dylan is a phenomenal athlete and student that comes from a town and family with rich wrestling tradition. We look forward to continuing to develop and work with him," Jensen said.

Collins (Wray H.S.) is 104-8 in his prep career to date. He'll be at 157/165 pounds for UNK and is a three-time state placer. He was the Class 2A 138-pound state runner up as a sophomore before winning the 152-pound title last winter. Collins is part of a Wray program that has amassed 14 state team titles.

"Tyler will bring a ton of value to our program in all areas of his life.  He is an all-around great athlete and has already seen a great amount of success at the high school level but his best is yet to come. You also will not find a better wrestling community than Wray, Colorado," Jensen said.

In Class 4A is Hostler (Broomfield H.S.) who was state runner up at 132 pounds in 2020 and has 88 career victories. He'll likely be at 141/149 pounds for UNK.

"Beau made big leaps over the past year by putting in a ton of mat time in the off-season. Going from a state qualifier to state finalist within a year is an impressive feat and a testament to his development.  His family is originally from Kearney and we are looking forward to getting him back to Nebraska," Jensen said. 

The final Colorado native is Lopez who wrestles for Sedgwick County High.  He is a two-time state placer and the 2020 Class 2A state champ at 195 pounds. He has 105 career wins and was at 182 pounds as a junior. 

"Fabian will add some great talent to our upper weights. He is a high character kid with a great work ethic and I am excited to see him continue to develop and grow in our program," Jensen said. 

Coming in from Iowa is Kinsella (Creston H.S.) and Reisz (Logan Magnolia H.S.). Kinsella is slated to be at 174/184 pounds with Reisz a few classes lower at 149/157 pounds.

Kinsella is 117-17 in his career and has twice placed at the Iowa state tournament. That includes a runner up finish at 182 pounds last winter.

"Jackson has made huge strides in his wrestling over his high school career. If he continues to develop at this rate, he will make a huge impact at the college level," Jensen said. 
 

Reisz is a three-time state placer with a 146-8 career mark. He has three consecutive state runner up finishes (113, 126 and 152 pounds).

 "Briar comes into college with phenomenal wrestling experience. Already a three-time Iowa state finalist and the favorite to win it this year, his success in a rich wrestling state has been quite the feat. He does things the right way and we can't wait to get him to Kearney," Jensen said. 

A senior-laden Loper starting lineup hopes to hit the mats in December with home duals vs. former RMAC rivals Colorado Mesa (Dec. 4) and Chadron State (Dec. 11). These would be UNK's first events of the 2020-21 season.