UNK Wrestling #7 Lopers Seeded Sixth at National Duals

The now seventh-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team is the sixth seed in this weekend's National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)/U.S. Marine Corps Multi-Division National Duals.

The event runs Friday-Saturday (Jan. 5-6) at Northern Iowa's UNI-Dome and is hosted by NUWAY. Fans not in attendance can watch the action via FloWrestling or following along with live results. There are brackets for six divisions: NAIA men and women, NCAA Division II and III men, NCAA women and NCWA men.

UNK (5-2), now with two-time All-Americans Nick James (141 lbs.) and Billy Higgins (184 lbs.) ready to go, will face Glenville (W.V.) State Friday at 2 p.m. in the opening round. The Pioneers are ranked 25th nationally and feature fifth-ranked Gavin Quiocho (133 lbs.) and 10th-ranked Guy Deleonardis (157 lbs.).
 
With a win or a loss, the Lopers wrestle again at 4 p.m. against either third-ranked Lander (S.C.) or 20th-ranked Tiffin (Ohio). Lander has been ranked number one for most of this year and is defending national runners up. The TU Dragons, meanwhile, are led by top-ranked Zach Donathan (141 lbs.).

The semifinals are set for Saturday at 10 a.m. with finals and the third-place match set for 3 p.m. Fourth-ranked Wisconsin-Parkside is not taking part this year, thus the reason for UNK being the sixth seed instead of seventh. 

In the national rankings, besides James (seventh), are Crew Howard (2nd/285 lbs.), Jackson Kinsella (5th/197 lbs.), Zach Ourada (6th/125 lbs.) and Jacobi Deal (9th/174 lbs.). Higgins would be ranked but didn't compete in the first semester due to injury.

Those Lopers not in Iowa will wrestle Saturday at the annual Hastings Open.