#4 Lopers Tame the Tigers Once Again, 40-12

Wrestling 2/14/2025 9:55:00 PM

#4 Lopers Tame the Tigers Once Again, 40-12

Kearney, Neb. – The fourth-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team used three falls, three tech falls and a major decision to roll past Fort Hays State, 40-12, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

This was "Senior Night" and UNK's final home event of the 2024-25 season. The Lopers finish up the dual season (10-7, 4-1) and beat the Tigers (5-6, 2-3) for a 23rd straight time, dating back to 2001.

Crew Howard & Mike Racy — ***Crew Howard repeated as the "A" game winner for MIAA wrestling***

Now sixth-year team member, Nick James (Kearney H.S.) returned to the mats for the first time since a national runner up finish at 141-pounds last March. The former volunteer assistant coach opted in to his "COVID" year a few weeks ago and bumps up to 149-pounds.

"After the St. Cloud dual (Jan. 12), I had a conversation with the coaches. You look at this lineup that we have ... they are fun to watch, work really hard and have a fire in their eyes that's contagious," said James. "When I had the opportunity to come back, and honestly it wasn't my idea, I couldn't pass it down."

His 81st career win featured seven takedowns as part of a 21-6 tech fall in 5:44. Eighth-ranked and redshirt senior Jacari Deal (Durham, N.C.) overcame an early 3-0 hole at 184-pounds to win by an almost identical score; 21-5 in 6:34. His night included 11 third-period points with his brother, Jacobi, getting a late takedown to have a 9-1 major decision a class earlier.

"We wrestled well and were pretty dominating from top to bottom," said Loper head coach Dalton Jensen. "Couple of weights got out of our hands but I think we're in good shape heading into the postseason. Zach (Ourada) will be back, no problem."

Finally, redshirt junior heavyweight Jake Boley (Colorado Springs) got off to a fast start and then had enough gas left in the tank to have a 16-1 tech fall in 5:28 with fifth-ranked Jackson Kinsella (Creston, Ia.) battling 11th-ranked Tereus Henry, 5-3, at 197-pounds once again.

"Crew (Howard) is dominant, number one ranked guy in the country and Jake is the same age. He's not going to return for his fifth year – he just got into veterinary school -- so Crew wanted him to have this opportunity tonight. Crew isn't where he's at if it's not for Jake," said Jensen. "I think those guys (Jackson and Tereus) have wrestled seven times in college. They have us 4-3 but we'll see him again at regionals and maybe nationals. It's always going to come down to one exchange between those two."

Both teams head to Gunnison, Colo., for the Super Region VI meet on March 1.

UNK Seniors 2025
Drew Arnold (R-Jr., Beatrice H.S.)
Jake Boley (R-Jr., Colorado Springs)
Gavyn Brauer (R-Jr., North Platte)
Jacari Deal (R-Sr., Durham, N.C.)
Jacobi Deal (R-Sr., Durham, N.C.)
Beau Hostler (R-Jr., Kearney H.S.)
Mitchell Peabody (R-Jr., Rockford, Colo.)
Herctor Serratos (R-Jr., Wichita, Kan.)
Nic Stoltenberg (R-Jr., Omaha Skutt Catholic)
Dylan Vodicka (R-Jr., David City H.S.)

Weight	Summary	UNK		FHS
125	Allen Stokes (Fort Hays State) over Bishop Murray (Fall 4:33)	0		6
133	Bishop Murray over Andrew Honas (Fort Hays State) (Fall 2:20)	6		0
141	#9 Joseph Airola over Kevin Honas (Fort Hays State) (Fall 2:32)	6		0
149	Nick James over Drew Bell (Fort Hays State) (Tech Fall 21-6; 5:44)	5		0
157	Marcell Dely (Fort Hays State) over Cael Robb (Fall 4:30)	0		6
165	#6 Trenton Munoz over Jacob Judd (Fort Hays State) (Fall 4:34)	6		0
174	Jacobi Deal over Connor Padgett (Fort Hays State) (Maj Dec 9-1)	4		0
184	#8 Jacari Deal over Matthew Rodriguez (Fort Hays) (Tech Fall 21-5; 6:34)	5		0
197	#5 Jackson Kinsella over #11 Tereus Henry (Fort Hays State) (Dec 5-3)	3		0
285	Jake Boley over Riah Ostrander (Fort Hays State) (Tech Fall 16-1; 5:28)	5		0
Exhibition	Jacob Awiszus over Ryann Paterson (Fort Hays State) (Maj Dec 21-9)	--		--
Team Score:			40		12

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Players Mentioned

Drew Arnold: 133; Redshirt Junior

Jacob Awiszus: 197; Redshirt Sophomore

Jake Boley: 285; Redshirt Junior

Gavyn Brauer: 174; Redshirt Junior

Jacari Deal: 184; Redshirt Senior

Jacobi Deal: 174; Redshirt Senior

Beau Hostler: 149; Redshirt Junior

Crew Howard: 285; Redshirt Junior

Jackson Kinsella: 197; Redshirt Junior

Mitchell Peabody: 184; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Drew Arnold
: Redshirt Junior
: 133

Jacob Awiszus
: Redshirt Sophomore
: 197

Jake Boley
: Redshirt Junior
: 285

Gavyn Brauer
: Redshirt Junior
: 174

Jacari Deal
: Redshirt Senior
: 184

Jacobi Deal
: Redshirt Senior
: 174

Beau Hostler
: Redshirt Junior
: 149

Crew Howard
: Redshirt Junior
: 285

Jackson Kinsella
: Redshirt Junior
: 197

Mitchell Peabody
: Redshirt Junior
: 184