[Husker] NU wrestling updates

[Andy Knipp]

The NU wrestling team competed in the B12 (ok, B5) championships this weekend, taking 3rd place (1/2 
point out of second) and sending 9 of 10 to the NCAA championships.  The NCAA has a strange 
formula determin how many guys qualify, depends on a rolling average (weighted) of the last 5 
years top 12 at each weight (8 place winners and next 4 eliminated). Due to the strength of the 
B5,  38 (of 50 total) qualify for the NCAAs.

Here is a recap of each weight class:

125 FR Paul Donahoe, seeded 3rd,  took 3rd, behind 2 returning All Americans.  He has wrestled both 
close and has a shot to be in the top 8.  Donahoe should be a AA candidate for the next 4 years. He is
light so will be at this weight for 4 years.

133 FR Patrick Aleksanyan was the 4th seed,  beat an ISU wrestler for 3rd place. Aleksanyan was 
on the bubble of he took 4th, so this was a plesant surpise. He is not likely to place however. 

141 JR Domick Moyer was seeded 3rd and took 3rd, behind the 2 returning NCAA finalists from last
year. Moyer gets little respect, but has put together a solid season.  Placing in the 6-8 range is
not out of the question for this 2 time NCAA qualifier.

149 FR Robert Sanders was seeded 5th and took 3rd. Sanders brings a .500 record the the NCAAs
but that does not matter, he made the dance.  Any wins he gets happily caps his season.

157 FR Chris Oliver was seeded 3rd and took 5th,  having the distinction of being the only wrestler
to go 0-3 in the tourny. The conf has a true 4th place winner, so if, when it is all over, #4 and #5
did not meet that day, they wrestle.  157 was the only weight where that happened.  Still, after
Oliver's top 15 ranking,  he was chosen as the 2nd alternate for the NCAAs. 

165 JR Marc Harwood was seeded 4th and took 4th in the most difficult weight class in the conf. 
The coaches voted and sent all 5 to the NCAAs.  He brings a #17 ranking and can win a few matches,
outside shot at placing.

174 SR Jacob Klein, AA as a SO,  1 win short last year, was seeded 3rd and took 2nd, behind the #1
wrestler in the country. Klein has a #4 ranking and should place highly. 

184 (true) FR Vince Jones has crushed great wrestlers (pinned the NCAA #2 in his 2nd match) and lost
to some mediocre guys.  He was seeded 3rd and took 4th and earned a wildcard vote.  He can 
win some matches and possibly place.

197 SR BJ Padden won the conf again, defeating the 2 time NCAA Champ from OSU (Padden is 3-0
against him this year). Padden is ranked #2 in the country and anything less than the finals
will be a disappointment.

HWT SO Jon May was seeded 3rd and took 3rd being the last qualifier. Again, a threat to win a couple
matches,  but is doubtful to place.  

All in all, NU had a solid season with such a young team. If 4 guys can place, with maybe one champ, 
NU can finish in the top 7, which will be good for this team

Now back to your regularly scheduled apathy.

Andy

Andy Knipp
andy at knipp.com
(480) 818-1026 (M)