University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Lopers Blank the Jets Again

Corbey R. Dorsey

Wrestling | 2/7/2022 7:55:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – The third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team shut out 24th-ranked Newman, 49-0, Monday night at the Health & Sports Center.

This was a makeup of a dual that was postponed in mid-January due to COVID issues within the Jets program. UNK (10-4) improves to 12-0 all-time vs. NU (4-4, 0-3) and has taken the last two meetings by a combined score of 91-0.

"Tonight was really looking at each individual and what they need for us to go contend for a national title," said UNK head coach Dalton Jensen. "Collectively everyone needs to be wrestling at their peak-level in March and part of that starts now. Building that confidence and looking for guys that didn't have the outcome they wanted last night (vs. No. 1 UCO) to turnaround and go dominate and win."

While Newman forfeited at four weights and the Lopers recorded two tech falls and a first-period fall, there were several battles. At 149 pounds, top-ranked Sam Turner (Colorado Springs) bounced back from an overtime loss on Sunday to rally pass junior Garrett Lange, 7-5. Lange used a takedown with 40 seconds left in the opening period and two near-fall points grab a 4-0 lead. Turner countered with two escapes, two takedowns and nearly two minutes of riding time to win.

"That's a pretty tough kid that Sam wrestled. He put Sam in a tough situation to be down 4-0," said Jensen. "To be able to come back against good competition, collect yourself and stay calm and score points … that's a good to see."

Next, fifth-ranked Jacob Wasser (Kintnersville, Pa.) got past freshman Jace Fisher, 6-4, at 157 pounds. Things were tied at two to start the third with Wasser tallying an early escape, late takedown and 1:58 in riding time to stave off the upset bid. Finally, second-ranked Matt Malcom (Glenwood, Ia.) had a rare battle in squaring off against fifth-ranked Kameron Frame. After a scoreless first period, Frame erased a 1-0 hole with his only takedown of the match. The lead was short-lived as Malcom used a reversal and four near-fall points to zoom ahead 7-2. Like Turner and Wasser, he built up some riding time and won 8-4.

"Matt hasn't been tested too much so it was good for him to actually see someone that's going to push him to the brink," said Jensen.

Finally for the Lopers, veteran Jonathan Killingsworth (Lincoln SE) had a 39 second fall at 141 pounds and nationally-ranked Josh Portillo (17-2; 7:00) and Austin Eldredge (15-0; 3:06) both had tech falls.

UNK heads to Fort Hays State (4-6, 1-1) Friday night to finish up the dual season.

Gallery: (2-1-2022) UNK Wrestling 2022 ** Newman

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Players Mentioned

Jonathan Killingsworth: 149; Redshirt Fifth Year

Jacob Wasser: 157; Redshirt Fifth Year

Austin Eldredge: 184; Redshirt Junior

Matt Malcom: 165; Redshirt Fifth Year

Josh Portillo: 125; Redshirt Fifth Year

Sam Turner: 149; Redshirt Fifth Year

Players Mentioned

Jonathan Killingsworth
: Redshirt Fifth Year
: 149

Jacob Wasser
: Redshirt Fifth Year
: 157

Austin Eldredge
: Redshirt Junior
: 184

Matt Malcom
: Redshirt Fifth Year
: 165

Josh Portillo
: Redshirt Fifth Year
: 125

Sam Turner
: Redshirt Fifth Year
: 149