Kearney, Neb. – The fifth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team dominated 11th-ranked Ashland (Ohio) University, 40-3, Friday afternoon at the U.S. Marine Corps/NWCA Multi-Division National Duals in Louisville, Ky.

The two-day tournament is being held at the Kentucky International Convention Center and brings together top college teams from all divisions. Live video (for a price) and live results are available for the double elimination event. 

UNK (4-1) received a third seed in the D2 bracket and thus got a first-round bye. The Ashland Eagles beat Fort Hays State, 24-15, Friday morning to advance to the quarters. The Lopers used two tech falls, a fall and injury default to improve to 2-3 all-time vs. AU.

The Lopers face second-ranked, second-seeded and defending national champion St. Cloud State (7-0) Friday at 10 a.m. (Central) in one semifinal match. The Huskies dispatched King (Tenn.), 47-0, and Indianapolis, 33-9, to advance. SCSU is 3-0 all-time vs. UNK with the last meeting coming three years ago in the National Dual semifinals. The Huskies won 22-15 as they took three matches by a single point.

Against Ashland (3-3), UNK saw second-ranked Matt Malcom (Glenwood, Ia.) tech fall 11th-ranked Drew Wiechers, 16-0. That marks Malcom's sixth tech fall of the season and fourth in a row. Next, 10th-ranked Austin Eldredge (McPherson, Kan.) got past Aidan Pasiuk, 3-0, with senior Hayden Price (Goose Creek, S.C.) beating 9th-ranked Walker Uhl thanks to an injury default at 2:31. Finally, veterans Wesley Dawkins (133 lbs.) and Jacob Wasser (157 lbs.) return to action and both won their 2021-22 debuts.

The Lopers won this tournament in 2003 and 2007, besting rival UNO in the finals each time.