No. 4 Mavs Battle Findlay in 1st Round of National
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The fourth-ranked University of Nebraska at Omaha wrestling team will look to defend their title when they participate in the NWCA National Dual Meet in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 13-14. The Mavericks, who are the two-time defending tournament champions, will battle Findlay at 9 a.m. at the UNI Dome on the campus of Northern Iowa.
The schedule for the championship bracket:
Saturday: 9 a.m. vs. Findlay
Quarterfinals, 1 p.m.
Sunday: Semifinals, 11 a.m.
Championship, 3 p.m.
Consolation bracket:
Prelim, Saturday, 1 p.m.; second round 5 p.m., third round 7 p.m. Sunday, seventh-place match at 9 a.m.; fifth-place match at 1 p.m.
Probable Lineup
125: Cody Garcia (9-4)
133: Jimmy Ball (0-1)
141: Sim Bribieseca (16-7) or Marcus Hilario (13-11)
149: Todd Meneely (18-2)
157: Derek Keasling (8-7) or Henry Wahle (9-9)
165: Ross Taplin (22-7)
174: JD Naig (22-7)
184: Nate Oviatt (5-4) or Nick Edmonds (9-6)
197: Jacob Marrs (19-5)
285: Tony Lewis (21-7)
The Coach
Mike Denney is in his 28th season as the Maverick head coach. The Dakota Wesleyan graduate has a 262-101-5 career mark. He has twice been named the NCAA II National Coach of the Year and led the 1991, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Mavericks to NCAA II national championships.
Last Week
Sophomore Todd Meneely highlighted the Mavericks' performance at the Dana Open Saturday, going 4-0 to capture the 149-pound title. Four other Mavericks placed in the top three in the unscored meet.
Sophomore Sim Bribieseca was 5-1, placing third at 141 pounds. Senior JD Naig finished 3-1 and in second place at 174 pounds. Senior 184-pounder Nate Oviatt placed second with a 3-1 mark. Sophomore Tony Lewis secured third place with a 4-1 mark.
On Deck
UNO will host the St. Cloud State in a 7 p.m. North Central Conference dual on Friday, Jan. 19, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Sapp Fieldhouse.
UNO will host the Brand Open on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Sapp Fieldhouse. About 120 wrestlers are expected to compete in the meet, which will get underway at 9 a.m.
