#7 UNK Downs NAIA Powerhouse, 18-17

Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications

Wrestling | 2/1/2024 10:37:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – The seventh-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team used two overtime victories and a big effort from redshirt sophomore Jackson Kinsella to down NAIA powerhouse Grand View, 18-17, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (17-3) push their win streak to 11 in a row and snap a two-match losing streak to the Vikings (10-2). GV, ranked number one in the NAIA, has won 10 of the last 11 NAIA National titles and 135 of its last 138 duals. UNK joins Iowa State (Nov. 2022) and Life U., Ga. (Jan. 2023) as teams to down the Vikings.

"On paper, if you looked at it objectively, it was probably going to be something like what we saw tonight … a five-five split," said UNK head coach Dalton Jensen. "Bonus points were going to be important and then it would likely come down to 197 and heavyweight where they had two returning national champs. We split those two matches." Trent Munoz

Each team won five matches with the Lopers having three majors and two decisions in sudden victory and GV recording a tech fall and four decisions. UNK was down 14-7 before winning three straight in the upper weights to move ahead for good.

To keep the Blue & Gold within striking distance, redshirt sophomore Nic Stoltenberg (Omaha Skutt) used a takedown 20 seconds into sudden victory to win, 4-1, at 157 pounds. He tied things up at one early in the third thanks to an escape. Fourth-ranked Trenton Munoz (Santa Clarita, Calif.) used this same formula to beat fourth-ranked Alex Reynolds two classes higher. While a Munoz second-period takedown was waved off, he got one with 35 seconds left in sudden victory to also win by a 4-1 count.

"Anytime you look at a tight dual between established and elite-level programs, it comes down to one takedown matches like those two," said Jensen. "We snuck away with them tonight."

Next, redshirt senior Jacobi Deal (Durham, N.C.) continued the momentum when he majored senior Caleb Swalla, 15-4, at 184-punds. Deal racked up 1:06 in riding time as well as four takedowns. Finally, Kinsella (Creston, Ia.) majored defending NAIA National Champ and third-ranked Owen Braungardt, 11-2. The tally included 2:12 in riding time and takedowns in each period.

"It's just a testament to the development Jackson has had and the time he's put into it over the past year," said Jensen. "He beat us 10-0 (in the dual) last year and then Jackson turns around and majors him this year. So, it shows where Jackson's future may be headed."

Grand View could've tied things at 18, forcing a tie-breaker scenario, but fifth-ranked Crew Howard (Clarinda, Ia.) battled defending NAIA National Champ Greg Hagan before falling, 5-2.

UNK heads to Fort Hays State next weekend.

#7 Nebraska Kearney 18, #1 Grand View (Iowa) 17


	Weight	Summary	UNK	GV
	125	#2 Aden Reeves (Grand View) over #6 Zach Ourada (Dec 11-5)	0	3
	133	Carson Taylor (Grand View) over Drew Arnold (TF 17-0; 5:11)	0	5
	141	#7 Nick James over Tony Mendoza (Grand View) (Maj Dec 13-4)	4	0
	149	#1 Blake Gonzalez (Grand View) over John Burger (Dec 5-3)	0	3
	157	Nic Stoltenberg over Tanner Abbas (Grand View) (SV-1; 4-1)	3	0
	165	#6 Justin McCunn (Grand View) over Kaden Hart (Dec 4-2)	0	3
	174	#4 Trent Munoz over #4 Alex Reynolds (Grand View) (SV-1; 4-1)	3	0
	184	Jacobi Deal over Caleb Swalla (Grand View) (Maj Dec 14-3)	4	0
	197	#8 Jackson Kinsella over #3 Owen Braungardt (Grand View) (Maj Dec 10-2)	4	0
	285	#1 Greg Hagan (Grand View) over #5 Crew Howard (Dec 4-2)	0	3
Team Score:			18	17

Rankings are NCAA Division II for UNK; NAIA for Grand View
UNK sat out #12 Billy Higgins (184 lbs.)
GV sat out #10 Dylan Whitt (157 lbs.) & Isaiah Luellen (184 lbs.)

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Jacobi Deal: 174; Redshirt Junior

Billy Higgins: 184; Redshirt Junior

Crew Howard: 285; Redshirt Freshman

Jackson Kinsella: 197; Redshirt Freshman

Trenton Munoz: 165; Sophomore

Nic Stoltenberg: 157; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jacobi Deal
: Redshirt Junior
: 174

Billy Higgins
: Redshirt Junior
: 184

Crew Howard
: Redshirt Freshman
: 285

Jackson Kinsella
: Redshirt Freshman
: 197

Trenton Munoz
: Sophomore
: 165

Nic Stoltenberg
: Redshirt Sophomore
: 157