No. 2 UNK Has Three Dominating Wins at the Fairgrounds

Wrestling 1/23/2021 1:41:00 PM

No. 2 UNK Has Three Dominating Wins at the Fairgrounds

Kearney, Neb. – The second-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team won 27 matches to roll past Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, No. 10 Adams State and Colorado State-Pueblo Saturday afternoon at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.

The Lopers improve to 7-3 and ran another successful Midwest Duals. The annual event began Friday with high school competition while Saturday featured colleges and kid clubs. UNK bested NEO, a junior college power, by a 43-0 score while easily getting past two former RMAC rivals in ASU, 37-9, and CSU-Pueblo, 41-6.

The highlight dual of the day came against the ASU Grizzlies. The Lopers saw second-ranked Josh Portillo (Clarion, Ia.) have four near fall points early in the second to erase a 6-4 deficit against fifth-ranked Isaiah De La Cerda. Portillo then added an escape to win 9-7. Next, Kearney redshirt freshman Nick James rallied from an 8-1 hole to win 10-8 in sudden victory at 141 pounds. He recorded a takedown and added four near fall points in the final 12 seconds to force extra time. There he took down Angel Flores at the 39 second mark.

Three classes higher second-ranked Matt Malcom dominated 10th-ranked Aaden Valdez, having a 17-1 tech fall (5:31). Malcom had three takedowns and racked up eight near fall points to reach his total. His other wins on the day came via tech fall, 16-0, and by major decision, 16-3. Finally, Kansas junior Terrell Garraway (174 lbs.) and Kearney redshirt sophomore Lee Herrington (285 lbs.) both had falls.

In the win over the ThunderWolves, UNK got falls from James (3:46), Garraway (3:54), Herrington (4:29) and Lincoln senior Wesley Dawkins (3:31). Colorado senior and fifth-ranked Sam Turner rebounded from a loss against Adams by beating 11th-ranked Gavin Meledez, 5-1. Four near fall points early in the second was the deciding factor.

To start the day, the Lopers had four tech falls, three decisions, two majors and a fall to blank the NEO Golden Norsemen.

UNK hosts Central Missouri next Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Health & Sports Center.

Gallery: (1-1-2021) UNK Wrestling ** 2021 Midwest Duals

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Players Mentioned

Wesley Dawkins: 133/141; Redshirt Junior

Terrell Garraway: 174/184; Sophomore

Lee Herrington: 285; Redshirt Freshman

Matt Malcom: 165; Redshirt Junior

Josh Portillo: 125; Redshirt Junior

Nick James: 141; Freshman

Sam Turner: 149; Junior

Players Mentioned

Wesley Dawkins
: Redshirt Junior
: 133/141

Terrell Garraway
: Sophomore
: 174/184

Lee Herrington
: Redshirt Freshman
: 285

Matt Malcom
: Redshirt Junior
: 165

Josh Portillo
: Redshirt Junior
: 125

Nick James
: Freshman
: 141

Sam Turner
: Junior
: 149