Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team finally begins the 2020-21 season with duals against former RMAC rivals Western Colorado and Colorado Mesa this Thursday (Dec. 10). 

The Lopers, who normally begin the year in early November, face the WCU Mountaineers and CMU Mavericks in Grand Junction Thursday evening. To get as much mat time for as many individuals as possible a series of exhibition matches will take place prior to the three duals.

UNK duals Western at 4 p.m. Central and then Mesa at around 5:30. Rivals Western and Mesa then close the night at seven. A live web stream is available with results on www.trackwrestling.com. The Lopers will not be a full strength due to some bumps and bruises; most of the injured starters will be back by next semester.

Head coach Dalton Jensen and his staff have a veteran unit that will feature a senior-heavy lineup at times this year. The NCAA Division II Presidents' Council has granted all winter sports a "free" year meaning student-athletes will not burn a season of eligibility. That gives seniors a chance to come back next year if they so desire.

The returning All-Americans are seniors Wesley Dawkins (133 lbs.), Matt Malcom (165 lbs.), and Josh Portillo (125 lbs.) with the 2020 national qualifiers being Jonathan Killingsworth (141 lbs.), Sam Turner (149 lbs.), and Jacob Wasser (157 lbs.).

Familiar to the starting lineup are senior Talon Seitz (157-174 lbs.), junior Terrell Garraway (174-184 lbs.) and sophomores Andrew Demos (197 lbs.), Lee Herrington (285 lbs.) and Teontae Wilson (149 lbs.). The Lopers posted a 13-6 dual record last winter.

UNK's next scheduled event comes January 9 at Iowa State. Both Jensen and assistant coach Andrew Sorenson wrestled for the Cyclones.
 

Loper Probable Startling Lineup
125 lbs. – Jackson Nielsen (R-Fr., Blair, Neb.)
133 lbs. – Alec Segarra (R-Fr,. Hill City, Kan.)
141 lbs. – Wesley Dawkins (R-Sr., Lincoln, Neb.) 
149 lbs. – Teontae Wilson (R-So., Kearney, Neb.)
157 lbs. – Talon Seitz (R-Sr., Hilton Head, S.C.)
165 lbs. – Matt Malcom (R-Sr., Glenwood, Ia.)
174 lbs. –Terrell Garraway (Jr., Lenexa, Kan.)
184 lbs. – Hayden Prince (Jr., Goose Creek, S.C.)
197 lbs. – Joseph Reimers (R-Fr., Seward, Neb.)
285 lbs. – Lee Herrington (R-So., Kearney, Neb.)
 
Additional Wrestlers/Exhibition Matches
141 lbs. – Nick James (R-Fr., Kearney, Neb)
141 lbs. – Gage Krolikowski (Fr., Valentine, Neb.)
157 lbs. – Wyatt Hayes (R-Fr., Scott City, Kan.)
165 lbs. – Kaleb Canoyer (R-Fr., Lincoln, Neb.)
174 lbs. – Austin Eldredge (R-Jr., McPherson, Kan.)
197 lbs. – Andrew Demos (R-So., Lake Villa, Ill.)