Kearney, Neb. – The fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team finished third at the 2025 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Multi-Division National Duals Saturday in Cedar Falls, Ia.

The third-seeded Lopers (7-4) reached Saturday morning's semifinals after wins over 21st-ranked Indianapolis and seventh-ranked Augustana on Friday. UNK fell to fourth-ranked and second-seeded Central Oklahoma, 22-14, before bouncing back in a big way to trounce sixth-ranked McKendree (Ill.), 40-6.

UCO (7-1), who went on to lose 21-16 to top-ranked St. Cloud State in the finals, has now taken six of the last seven duals with UNK. They won five of the first six classes today before the Lopers took the final three. The two teams meet again Feb. 7 in Edmond. 

Fifth-ranked Studd Morris used a takedown with 19 seconds left to edge top-ranked Zach Ourada (Omaha Skutt) by a 5-4 count at 125-pounds. At 165 pounds, it appeared junior Trenton Munoz (Santa Clarita, Calif.) recorded a last second takedown to upset seventh-ranked Hunter Jump. However, the points were waved off after a video review (out of bounds) and Jump thus won by a 4-2 score.

Seventh-ranked Joseph Airola (Ward, Colo.) got the Lopers first win, a 7-3 decision at 141-pounds. He had late takedowns in the second and third periods. Next, senior Jacari Deal (Durham, N.C.) upset fifth-ranked Garret Wells, 5-1, thanks to a reversal and three-point near fall in the third period. On Friday, Deal beat third-ranked Cade Mueller of Augustana. Finally, third-ranked Jackson Kinsella (Creston, Ia.) had a takedown with 11 seconds remaining to win at 197 pounds, 4-1. 

The McKendree Panthers (4-3) were no match for the Lopers who recorded three falls, two majors and a tech fall. Deal won again, 15-7, with top-ranked Crew Howard (Clarinda, Ia.) managing a fall in just 1:41. In the lower weights, Ourada and junior Hector Serratos (Wichita) recorded back-to-back falls with Munoz using a takedown to win in overtime, 10-7. He tied the match in regulation thanks to riding time.

UNK heads to Des Moines on Thursday night to face NAIA power Grand View. The dual will air live on Iowa Public Television.

 3rd Place Match - #5 UNK 40, #6 McKendree 6            

	Match Summary	MCK	UNK
125	#1 Zach Ourada  over #14 Jason Strope (McKendree) Fall 1:43	0	6
133	Hector Serratos over Gunnar LeGrand (McKendree) Fall 1:08	0	6
141	#3 Ronan Schuelke (McKendree) over #7 Joseph Airola Dec 6-3	3	0
149	Joey Semerad (McKendree) over Brady Collins Dec 7-2	3	0
157	Cael Robb over James Hoskinson (McKendree) Maj 8-0	0	4
165	Trenton Munoz over #6 Cory Peterson (McKendree) SV-1 10-7	0	3
174	#9 Kaden Hart over Lucas Wendling (McKendree) Tech Fall  19-1	0	5
184	Jacari Deal over Shamon Handegan (McKendree) Maj Dec 15-7	0	4
197	#3 Jackson Kinsella over # 11 Zeke Waltz (McKendree) Inj 1:32	0	6
285	#1 Crew Howard over Ridge Schutte (McKendree) Fall 1:41	0	6
Dual Meet Score		6	40

* Waltz ranked 11th at 184 pounds; Kinsella up 10-1 at time of stoppage
 
Semifinals - #2 Central Oklahoma 22, #5 UNK 14       

	Match Summary	UNK	UCO
125	#5 Studd Morris (Central Oklahoma) over #1 Zach Ourada Dec 5-4	0	3
133	#10 Peter Rolle (Central Oklahoma) over Hector Serratos Dec 4-1	0	3
141	#7 Joseph Airola over Josh Taylor (Central Oklahoma) Dec 7-3	3	0
149	#7 Dylan Brown (Central Oklahoma) over Brady Collins Fall 4:32	0	6
157	#1 Gabe Johnson (Central Oklahoma) over Cael Robb Dec 8-1	0	3
165	#7 Hunter Jump (Central Oklahoma) over Trenton Munoz Dec 4-2	0	3
174	Zane Coleman (Central Okla.) over #9 Kaden Hart Maj Dec 20-8	0	4
184	Jacari Deal over #5 Garrett Wells (Central Oklahoma) Dec 5-1	3	0
197	#3 Jackson Kinsella over Emmanuel Skillings (C. Okla) Dec 4-1	3	0
285	#1 Crew Howard over Paul Sharp (Central Okla.) Tech Fall 15-0	5	0
Dual Meet Score		14	22