harimont@lopers.unk.edu
The No. 3 UNK wrestling team gave a cold welcome on Friday to rival Fort Hays State for senior night. The Lopers handed Fort Hays a 33-6 defeat, their 22nd straight victory over the Tigers to improve to 10-6 on the year.
UNK senior Teontae Wilson provided most of the excitement as he took on the Tigers’ Clint Herrick in the 157-pound matchup. Heading into the third period Wilson led 3-1. After a neutral start to begin the final period, Herrick took an advantage in the final 10 seconds.
On the verge of a takedown that would have tied the score, Wilson escaped as time expired to win 4-1 in front of his hometown crowd.
“You know, that’s the moment you prepare for,” Wilson said. “It just feels good to go out there and get a win and finish on a positive note on senior night.”
The most anticipated matchup of the night came in the 174-pound class where UNK’s Austin Eldredge faced Cade Lindsey in a nationally ranked No. 3 vs. No. 4 matchup.
In the third period, Eldredge survived a near-fatal takedown that would have given Lindsey an advantage by getting a reversal to tie it 4-4. Eldredge would maintain a top advantage and get Lindsey into a position where he could not move.
Controversy arose when UNK’s bench and crowd clamored for a stalling call against Lindsey, which would have given Eldredge a one-point advantage. Instead, the referee called a stalemate that brought the home crowd and Loper bench into a frenzy.
The wrestlers would head to a neutral start where they were both on their feet and Eldredge would regain the top advantage and would close out the match to get the 5-4 victory with riding time.
“That’s what going to have to happen for him to win a national title,” said UNK coach Dalton Jensen. “He’s going to have to win a match the hard way where he’s probably not going to get a turn so it’s good to see him win a match like that.”
Other top-ranked wrestlers getting wins for UNK included 184-pound Billy Higgins by fall over Bryce Westmoreland, Lee Herrington also picked up a win by fall in the 285-pound matchup as well. With the win, the Lopers extended their winning streak over rival Fort Hays to 22 straight.
The Lopers would use Saturday’s duel as a rest day of sorts. Letting reserve wrestlers step in and pick up a win over Central Missouri 35-9.
The UNK wrestling team is back in action on Feb. 12 as they travel to Edmond, Oklahoma to take on the No. 1 Central Oklahoma Bronchos for a highly anticipated matchup. The Lopers will then get time off before heading to Chadron for the NCAA Super Regional on Feb. 25.
