Kearney, Neb. – The third-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team fell to NAIA defending national champion Grand View, 34-3, Friday night in Des Moines.
 
The banged-up Lopers drop to 9-6 while the Vikings improve to 4-1. Earlier this year, GVU saw its 116 dual match win streak snapped by Iowa State; it was the longest such streak in college wrestling history (all divisions). The Vikings have also won 10 of the last 11 NAIA national titles.

The lone highlight for the Lopers tonight was top-ranked Billy Higgins (Omaha Skutt) getting past second-ranked Ben Lee, 3-2, at 184 pounds. Higgins broke a scoreless match thanks to an escape and takedown in the third. The takedown came with just five seconds left and things knotted at one. 
 
At heavyweight, top-ranked Greg Hagan managed a fall in 2:16 of Lee Herrington (Kearney) with top-ranked Isaiah Luellen having two takedowns and some riding time to beat third-ranked Austin Eldredge (McPherson, Kan.), 7-4, at 174 lbs. Finally, redshirt freshman Briar Reisz (Logan, Ia.) had a second period takedown and two escapes but fell to second-ranked Marty Margolis by a 6-4 score.
 
UNK closes out the home slate next weekend when Fort Hays State (Friday) and Central Missouri (Saturday) come to down.