2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

Brandon Browne - Senior - 174 Pounds

HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING B rrandonandon B rrowneowne 174 lbs. z Sr. z Plattsmouth, Neb. (Plattsmouth)

2008-09 Outlook Browne’s win earned him Big 12 Wrestler-of-the-Week honors One of four returning All-Americans for the Huskers this on Jan. 21. season, Brandon Browne will be a senior leader on a talented He ended his campaign with six straight dual wins to run Nebraska squad at 174 pounds and will be a key component his dual mark to 14-1 and earn 54 dual points on the year for in NU’s pursuit of a national team title. Nebraska. Browne fi nished the season a perfect 7-0 against Big 12 NCAA Championships opponents and went 12-4 versus ranked foes. 2008-Browne fi nished fourth at the 2008 NCAA 2007-Browne sat out the 2007 campaign. Championships with a 4-2 record to earn his fi rst All-America 2006-Browne split time between 174 and 184 pounds honor. Browne opened the tournament with three straight fi nishing 14-6 on the season with a 3-3 dual mark. Browne decisions over Virginia’s Chris Henrich (8-3), Iowa State’s Aron opened the season with a 5-0 championship run at 174 Scott (8-5) and Cornell’s Steve Anceravage (3-2), but lost to pounds at the Harold Nichols Open on Nov. 12. After a 2-2 second-ranked Steve Luke of Michigan in overtime, 3-1, in the record at the Kaufman-Brand Open, Browne took second at Career Accomplishments semifi nals. the UNI Open with a 4-1 record, losing only in the fi nals to Browne advanced to the third-place match with a 4-1 win Nebraska’s Jacob Klein. • 2008 All-American (4th) over Central Michigan’s Brandon Sinnott, but dropped a 6-4 Browne stepped into the Huskers’ starting lineup the • 2008 Big 12 Champion decision to Iowa’s Jay Borschel to fi nish fourth. following week at 184 pounds. On Dec. 17 at the Nebraska • 2008 NU Most Improved Duals, Browne had his best dual performance with a win by Big 12 Championships fall over Oregon State’s Neal Beaudry. • Big 12 Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 21) 2008-Browne captured the Big 12 Conference title with 2005-Browne showed promise as a redshirt at 165 pounds. a 2-0 showing at 174 pounds. In his fi rst match, he battled He went 20-5 in open competition, including three individual 2007-08 Match-by-Match fi fth-seeded Emanual Brooks of Missouri to the fi rst tiebreaker championships. He placed in fi ve of six tournaments, including Date Rank Opponent Result before Browne scored a reversal to earn a 7-6 win. his fi rst collegiate competition, the Kaufman-Brand Open on 11-9 10 Kyle Morrow, Wyoming W;TF,20-3 Browne won a thrilling 7-6 decision over Oklahoma State’s Nov. 11. That day, Browne fi nished fourth in the 20-and-under Cowboy Open, Laramie, Wyo. (Elite-1st) Brandon Mason in the fi nals, a match in which Browne earned division, as he won his fi rst four matches. 11-10 10 Jesse Feinsod, N.M. Highlands W;TF,19-4 the winning takedown with nine seconds left. 11-10 10 Brendon Decock, Great Falls W;MD,12-2 After a 1-2 showing at the UNI Open on Dec. 4, Browne 11-10 10 Paul Sutton, UNK W;MD,14-4 Career Notes fi nished third at the UNK Loper Open with a 4-1 record. He won his last two matches at UNK, beginning a 12-match winning 11-10 10 Evan Hinebauch, Unattached W;MD,13-1 2008-Browne’s 35-4 record tied him for 15th on Nebraska’s streak that stretched to the end of the season. Browne won 11-16 10 Alex Caruso, Lehigh W;D,11-5 top 20 single-season wins list. He led the Huskers in both total four matches to take the Beamon Open championship on Jan. Kaufman-Brand Open, Omaha, Neb. (Elite-1st) victories (35) and dual wins (14). Browne became the 52nd NU 11-17 10 Mitch Kuhlman, Unattached W;TF,23-8 8, then three matches to win the Brand Open on Jan. 15, and 2008-09 HUSKERS wrestler in history to top 30 wins in a season. 11-17 10 Nick Edmonds, UNO W;TF,21-6 three more to capture the Great Plains Open title on Jan. 29. Browne started the season with 13 straight wins to place 11-17 10 Jay Borschel, Unattached W;D,11-7 Before Nebraska-Browne was an All-American and a fi rst at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 10, and the Kaufman-Brand 11-17 10 Alex Dolly, Northern Iowa W;D,6-2 two-time state champion at Plattsmouth High School for Open on Nov. 17. Browne followed with a third-place fi nish at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite, Las Vegas, Nev. (3rd) Coach Kyle Bluhn. Browne was a four-time state fi nalist at the Las Vegas Invite after a 7-1 performance, including four 11-30 10 Ryan Johnson, N. Colo. W;MD,15-4 Plattsmouth, and wrestled to a career record of 138-6. 11-30 10 Tyler Bernacchi, Cal-Davis W;MD,10-1 major decisions. After being ranked No. 10, Browne’s victory 11-30 10 Bran Crudden, Brown W;MD,24-12 over then-second ranked Matthew Stolpinksi of Navy vaulted Personal 11-30 10 John Dergo, Illinois L;D,5-2 Browne to the No. 5 spot. The son of Thayes and Bradley Browne, Brandon was born 12-1 10 Larry Wilbanks, Western St. W;MD,9-1 Browne went 3-1 against four ranked opponents at the on April 10, 1986. He has three brothers, Aaron, Cameron 12-1 10 Tyler Bernacchi, Cal-Davis W;Default National Duals on Jan. 12-13, and scored a 2-1 upset of and Jesse, and a sister, Aimee. Cameron is a junior on the NU 12-1 10 Matthew Stolpinski, Navy W;D,8-4 then-No. 2 Brandon Mason of Oklahoma State a week later. 12-1 10 Phil Moricone, Edinboro W;D,6-4 wrestling team. Brandon is a psychology major at Nebraska. 12-6 5 Gabe Dretsch, Minnesota W;D,5-2 1-2 5 Ryan Johnson, N. Colo. W;Fall(3:49) 1-4 5 Ben Harris, Oregon State W;Fall(0:41) National Duals, Cedar Falls, Iowa (2nd) 1-12 5 #14 Nick Hayes, Northwestern W;D,7-5 1-12 5 #17 Dave Erwin, Penn State W;D,5-4 1-12 5 #10 Gabe Dretsch, Minnesota W;D,3-2 1-12 5 #11 Jay Borschel, Iowa L;D,8-4 1-20 6 #2 Brandon Mason, Okla. St. W;D,2-1 2-2 6 Brock Wittmeyer, Missouri W;MD,14-5 2-10 5 Jeff James, Oklahoma W;D,5-4 2-16 5 Michael Darling, Rider W;Fall(2:39) 2-17 5 #6 Alton Lucas, Hofstra W; D, 8-6 2-24 5 Aron Scott, Iowa State W; D, 7-3 Big 12 Championships, Stillwater, Okla. (1st) 3-8 5 Emanuel Brooks, Missouri W; 7-6 TB 3-8 5 #8 Brandon Mason, Okla. State W;D,7-6 NCAA Championships, St. Louis, Mo. (4th) 3-20 5 #19 Chris Henrich, Virginia W;D,8-3 3-20 5 Aron Scott, Iowa State W;D,8-5 3-21 5 #11 Steve Anceravage, Cornell W;D,3-2 3-21 5 #2 Steve Luke, Michigan L;D,3-1SV 3-22 5 Brandon Sinnott, Central Mich. W;D,4-1 3-22 5 #4 Jay Borschel, Iowa L;D,6-4 Year-by-Year Record Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 04-05* 20-5 0-0 4 1 5 05-06 14-6 3-3 1 0 3 06-07 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 07-08 35-4 14-1 3 4 8 Totals 49-10 17-4 4 4 11 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals. 42 HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING B randon B rowne C rraigaig B rresterester 197 lbs. z Jr. z Howells, Neb. (Howells) 2008-09 Outlook end the regular season on a 10-2 run, including four straight Craig Brester, one of the nation’s top-ranked wrestlers at pins at one point. 197 pounds, is a valuable returner to the Huskers this season. Brester ended his season with 12 of his fi nal 13 matches Brester will contend for All-America honors on and off the mat against top 20 opponents. He went 8-4 against those ranked in 2009. foes, with two of those losses to Missouri’s Max Askren and one to No. 1 Josh Glenn of American. NCAA Championships Brester earned a 26-7 overall record and a 12-4 dual mark 2008-Brester fi nished fourth with a 5-2 mark to claim his while amassing six pins, four technical falls and four major fi rst All-America award. decisions. He was ranked in the top 10 in the nation for the Brester opened nationals with a resounding 17-0 technical entire season. fall of Army’s Richard Starks and defeated Illinois’ Patrick 2007-Brester earned a 19-7 record, including a 10-2 Bond 7-2 in the second round. Brester lost to top-seeded Josh mark in dual competition. After a 2-2 performance at the Las Glenn of American in the quarterfi nals, but reeled off three Vegas Invitational on Dec. 1, Brester won nine straight dual straight wins over Hofstra’s Joe Rovelli, Missouri’s Max Askren matches. He debuted in the Huskers’ dual lineup with fi ve and Wisconsin’s Jacob Herbst to advance to the third-place straight bonus-point wins. Career Accomplishments match. Brester went undefeated at the National Duals, including • 2008 All-American (4th) Brester took an early lead on Maryland’s Hudson Taylor, but victories over fourth-ranked Chris Weidman of Hofstra and No. • Two-Time Academic All-Big 12 First Team fi nished fourth after Taylor rallied to win in overtime. 12 Nick Roy of Michigan. After entering the rankings for the 2007-Brester was 2-2 in his fi rst career trip to the NCAA fi rst time at No. 19, Brester upset fi fth-ranked Kurt Backes • Two-Time NWCA All-Academic Team Championships. Brester won his fi rst-round match against of Iowa State, 4-3, and dominated Jared Shelton of Oklahoma • Two-Time NCAA Qualifi er David Mendoza of Old Dominion by major decision, 15-2. In State in an 18-6 major decision win that saw Brester score the second round, Brester defeated former All-American Wynn eight takedowns. Brester closed the regular season with four Michalak of Central Michigan, 7-2. Brester was eliminated straight wins, including a 3-0 mark in the fi nal weekend with 2007-08 Match-by-Match after suffering back-to-back losses by fall to Josh Glenn of wins by fall and major decision. Date Rank Opponent Result 2008-09 HUSKERS American and J.D. Bergman of Ohio State. 2006-Brester fi nished in the top three in four of his last fi ve 11-9 5 Open, Wyoming W; Forfeit tournaments to wrap up a 23-9 season. Brester, who wrestled Cowboy Open, Laramie, Wyo. (Elite-1st) Big 12 Championships primarily at 174 pounds, earned the championship at the UNK 11-10 5 Sam Udell, Chadron St. W; Fall (0:55) 2008-With his second straight second-place fi nish at Loper Open on Dec. 10 with a 4-0 showing. Brester fi nished 11-10 5 Ross Melton, Colo. Mines W; Fall (1:43) the Big 12 Championships, Brester clinched his second third at the Oklahoma Open on Nov. 26. He reached the fi nals 11-10 5 Alex Calvi, Great Falls W; TF, 16-1 consecutive berth to the national tournament. with three victories, including a win by major decision and 11-10 5 Josh Majerus, Chadron State W; D, 10-4 The third-seeded Brester upset second-seeded Joel another by technical fall. 12-6 3 Justin Bronson, Minnesota W; MD, 11-1 Flaggert of Oklahoma in the Big 12 semifi nals with a 6-2 After a 2-2 record at the UNI Open on Dec. 4, Brester 12-7 3 Open, SDSU W; Forfeit decision. Flaggert opened with a takedown two minutes into captured the UNK Loper Open championship. On Jan. 7, Brester 12-15 4 Ross Milam, Dana W; TF, 19-2 the fi rst period, but it would be the only points he scored as fi nished third at the Dana College Open, including three wins 1-2 4 Patrick Carey, Northern Colo. W; TF, 21-5 Brester held him scoreless the rest of the match. by fall and another by major decision. Two weeks later, Brester 1-4 4 Brice Arand, Oregon State W; MD, 17-4 Brester dropped an 8-3 decision to top-seeded Max Askren fi nished third at 184 pounds at the Brand Open in Omaha. National Duals, Cedar Falls, Iowa (2nd) of Missouri in the fi nals, but Brester would get revenge with a Brester was dominant in the consolation bracket with wins by 1-12 4 #3 Mike Tamillow, Northwestern L; D, 7-3 win over Askren at the NCAA Championships. major decision and fall in his two matches. 1-12 4 #2 Philip Davis, Penn State L; MD, 8-0 2007-Highlighted by a dominant victory over fi fth-ranked Before Nebraska-Brester was a two-time state champion 1-13 4 Justin Bronson, Minnesota W; MD, 14-3 Joel Flaggert of Oklahoma, Brester clinched his fi rst career bid at Howells High School under Coach Lee Schroeder. Brester 1-13 4 Chad Beatty, Iowa W; D, 4-0 to the NCAA Championships with a second-place fi nish at the was a four-time state medalist and led Howells to a 2004 1-20 10 #20 Clayton Foster, Okla. State W; D, 6-3 Big 12 Championships. Brester throttled Flaggert by technical Class D state wrestling championship. He was 141-4 in his Jimmie Open, Jamestown, N.D. (1st) fall, 17-2, in the semifi nals at 197 pounds to clinch a trip to four-year wrestling career. He was also an all-state football 1-26 10 Ted Saatzer, St. Cloud State W; Fall (0:57) nationals. In the fi nals, second-ranked Max Askren of Missouri player on a pair of state championship football teams at 1-26 10 Justin Binetti, Unattached W; Fall (0:47) defeated Brester, 5-3. Howells and was an all-state performer. 1-26 10 Tony Neumann, Concordia W; Fall (0:50) Career Notes 1-26 10 Matt Michaelson, Dakota State W; Fall (4:51) 2008-Brester began the season with fi ve straight wins and Personal 2-2 10 #9 Maxwell Askren, Missouri L; D, 13-11 a fi rst-place fi nish at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 10, but a knee Born on Oct. 2, 1986, in Howells, Neb., Craig is the son of 2-10 10 #5 Joel Flaggert, Oklahoma W; D, 6-1 injury forced him to the sideline for the rest of November. He Dan and Denise Brester. He has three older sisters, Christy, 2-16 7 #12 T.J. Morrison, Rider W; MD, 9-1 returned in December and picked up right where he left off, Cheryl and Connie, and two younger brothers, Chad and Cory. 2-17 7 #10 Joe Rovelli, Hofstra W; D, 10-3 reeling off fi ve more victories. Nine of Brester’s fi rst 10 wins Brester was a member of both National Honor Society and 2-24 7 #18 David Bertolino, Iowa State L; D, 7-6 TB were bonus-point affairs. the honor roll at Howells High School. He is a mechanized Big 12 Championships, Stillwater, Okla (2nd) Brester suffered his fi rst loss of the season at National systems management major at Nebraska. Brester is a two- 3-8 8 #9 Joel Flaggert, Oklahoma W; D, 6-2 Duals on Jan. 12, as he went 2-2 with losses to the No. 2 and time selection to the academic All-Big 12 fi rst team and NWCA 3-8 8 #7 Maxwell Askren, Missouri L; D, 8-3 No. 3 wrestlers in his weight class. Brester bounced back to All-Academic Team. NCAA Championships, St. Louis, Mo. (4th) 3-20 8 Richard Starks, Army W; TF, 17-0 3-20 8 #9 Patrick Bond, Illinois W; D, 7-2 3-21 8 #1 Josh Glenn, American L; D, 10-5 3-21 8 #12 Joe Rovelli, Hofstra W; D, 7-0 3-21 8 #7 Max Askren, Missouri W; D, 9-2 3-22 8 #5 Jacob Herbst, Wisconsin W; D, 9-2 3-22 8 #6 Hudson Taylor, Maryland L; D, 7-5 SV Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 05-06* 24-9 0-0 8 2 6 06-07 19-7 14-2 2 4 6 07-08 26-7 12-4 6 4 4 Career 45-14 26-6 8 8 10 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals

HUSKERS.COM 43 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING Joordanrdan Buurroughsrroughs 149 lbs. z Jr. z Sicklerville, N.J. (Winslow Township) 2008-09 Outlook season record with 98 dual takedowns. He surrendered just Jordan Burroughs returns to the Nebraska wrestling room seven takedowns on the year. He led NU in major decisions after a busy summer on the international wrestling scene. He (12), technical falls (8), dual points (59) and fi nished a fi nished 10th in freestyle at the FILA World Championships in perfect 8-0 against Big 12 opponents. August after claiming the national title at 66 kilograms (145.5 Burroughs opened the season with a 5-0 mark and fi rst- pounds). Burroughs is a powerful competitor who brings a place fi nish at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 10, and followed high level of dedication to the squad. with a second-place performance in the elite division of the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 17. NCAA Championships Burroughs asserted himself as an All-America contender 2008-Burroughs’ 5-1 record at the 2008 NCAA with his 6-1 record at the Las Vegas Invite to place third. Championships earned him third place and his fi rst All- Burroughs notched three wins over ranked opponents, America award. Burroughs powered past Penn’s Cesar Grajales including then-second ranked Josh Churella of Michigan. 4-1 in the opening round, before rolling to a 21-5 technical fall Burroughs was also a rock in the Husker dual lineup. He over Gardner-Webb’s Edward McCray in the second round. wrestled in all 17 of NU’s duals, fi nishing with a 14-3 record. Burroughs topped Michigan’s Josh Churella 3-2 in the Career Accomplishments His three losses all came to opponents ranked in the top four. quarterfi nals, but lost an 8-4 decision to eventual champion 2007-Burroughs became NU’s starter midway through • Junior National World Team Member Brent Metcalf of Iowa in the semifi nals. Burroughs came back the season and solidifi ed his spot with a strong fi nish to the • 2008 All-American (3rd) with a 5-3 win over Harvard’s J.P. O’Connor and defeated regular season. He won his last three matches, including a • 2008 Big 12 Champion Churella again 4-2 to cap his second NCAA appearance. pair of bonus-point wins. 2007-Burroughs went 1-2 in his fi rst career trip to the Burroughs started the season at 141 pounds, but after a 1- • 2008 Outstanding Wrestler of Big 12 Championships NCAA Championships. No. 1 national seed Dustin Schlatter 2 showing at the Harold Nichols Open on Nov. 11, he moved to of Minnesota defeated Burroughs in the fi rst round, 3- 149 and won 12 of his 17 matches. His success at 149 pounds 1. Burroughs stayed alive with a dominant 8-2 win over 2007-08 Match-by-Match started at the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 18, when he Date Rank Opponent Result Columbia’s Matthew Dunn, but was eliminated in a 6-1 fi nished fourth with a 6-2 showing in the amateur bracket. 11-9 11 Cody Chipperfi eld, Wyoming W; MD, 19-7 four-overtime loss to Matt Storniolo of Oklahoma. Burroughs Burroughs made his fi rst start for NU at 149 pounds on Cowboy Open, Laramie, Wyo. (Elite-1st) was one of three NU freshmen to qualify for the NCAA Jan. 5, losing a narrow 8-6 decision to Derek Kipperberg of 11-10 11 Tim Silengo, Northern Colo. W; MD, 16-5 Championships in 2007. Oregon State. Burroughs followed with a 2-2 performance at 11-10 11 Byron Kuylen, Unattached W; MD, 14-5 the Glen Brand Open in Omaha on Jan. 20. 11-10 11 Jeremy Mclaughlin, Oregon W; MD, 16-5 Big 12 Championships 2008-Burroughs lived up to his No. 1 seed with a 2-0 record, Burroughs earned his fi rst career dual win in a 10-5 11-10 11 Adam Hall, Boise State W; D, 13-7 triumph over Oklahoma State’s T.J. Jackson that gave Nebraska 11-16 11 Trevor Chinn, Lehigh W; MD, 18-9 including technical fall and major decision wins, to claim his fi rst career Big 12 title. He was also named the Outstanding an opportunity to win its dual with the Cowboys in the fi nal Kaufman-Brand Open, Omaha, Neb. (Elite-2nd) match. After back-to-back losses to two of the top three 149-

2008-09 HUSKERS 11-17 11 Chris Szabolcs, Air Force W; TF, 22-7 Wrestler of the Meet at the Big 12 Championships. pounders in the nation, No. 3 Matt Storniolo of Oklahoma and 11-17 11 Ryan Etherton, UNK W; TF, 23-8 Burroughs notched 10 takedowns and a three-point 11-17 11 Will Rowe, Oklahoma W; D, 12-10 nearfall to earn a 24-9 technical fall over Oklahoma’s Will No. 1 Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota, Burroughs fi nished the 11-17 11 Brent Metcalf, Unattached L; Inj. Default Rowe. Burroughs added six more takedowns in a 15-6 major regular season by winning three straight. The stretch included Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite, Las Vegas, Nev. (3rd) decision over Iowa State’s Mitch Mueller. a technical fall win over Jeff Santo of Lehigh and a major 11-30 8 Cody Chipperfi eld, Wyoming W; MD, 19-7 2007-Burroughs earned his fi rst bid to the NCAA decision win over Rob Histschler of Penn. 11-30 8 Adam Hall, Boise State W; D, 7-5 Championships with a third-place fi nish at 149 pounds. He Before Nebraska-Burroughs won the 2006 New Jersey 11-30 8 Lance Palmer, Ohio State L; D, 6-5 won his fi rst-round match over B.J. Jackson of Oklahoma state title at 135 pounds to cap a 35-2 senior season and a 12-1 8 Josh Wagner, Missouri W; D, 8-3 State, 3-1. After a 7-3 loss to second-ranked Matt Storniolo 115-20 career at Winslow Township High School. Burroughs, 12-1 8 Kaylen Baxter, Old Dominion W; MD, 14-3 of Oklahoma in the semifi nals, Burroughs clinched a bid to ranked seventh in the nation among 135-pound high school 12-1 8 Josh Churella, Michigan W; D, 11-7 nationals with a 16-6 major decision win over 14th-ranked wrestlers by Intermat, was a three-time district champion and 12-1 8 Lance Palmer, Ohio State W; D, 2-1 (2OT) a two-time regional champion for Head Coach Rick Koss. 12-6 6 Dustin Schlatter, Minnesota L; D, 2-1 Josh Wagner of Missouri. 12-7 6 Sean Flynn, SDSU W; Fall (3:44) Career Notes Personal 12-15 6 Marcos Martinez, Dana W; TF, 23-8 2008-With one of the best sophomore seasons in Nebraska Jordan was born on July 8, 1988, in Camden, N.J. He has 1-2 7 Daniel Prater, Northern Colo. W; TF, 21-6 history, Burroughs fi nished with a 34-6 overall record, two sisters, Princess and Jenerra, and one brother, Leroy. 1-4 7 Kyle Larson, Oregon State W; MD, 20-11 including a 14-3 dual mark. He ranks eighth on the top 10 list Jordan is the son of Janice Burroughs and Leroy Burroughs. National Duals, Cedar Falls, Iowa (2nd) Jordan is a sociology major at NU. 1-12 6 #5 Ryan Lang, Northwestern W; D, 9-8 for wins by an NU sophomore. He also set the Husker single- 1-12 6 #4 Bubba Jenkins, Penn State L; D, 3-2 1-13 6 Luke Mellmer, Minnesota W; TF, 24-9 1-13 6 #3 Brent Metcalf, Iowa L; D, 6-2 1-20 7 Quinten Fuentes, Okla. State W; MD, 25-11 2-2 7 #16 Josh Wagner, Missouri W; MD, 15-7 2-10 7 #13 Will Rowe, Oklahoma W; D, 5-3 2-16 8 #18 Don Fisch, Rider W; TF, 20-5 2-17 8 Mitch Smith, Hofstra W; MD, 17-9 2-24 7 Mitch Mueller, Iowa State W; D, 11-5 Big 12 Championships, Stillwater, Okla. (1st) 3-8 7 Will Rowe, Oklahoma W; TF, 24-9 3-8 7 Mitch Mueller, Iowa State W; MD, 15-6 NCAA Championships, St. Louis, Mo. (3rd) 3-20 4 #14 Cesar Grajales, Penn W; D, 4-1 3-20 4 Edward McCray, Gardner-Webb W; TF, 21-5 3-21 4 #5 Josh Churella, Michigan W; D, 3-2 3-21 4 #1 Brent Metcalf, Iowa L; D, 8-4 3-22 4 #3 J.P. O’Connor, Harvard W; D, 5-3 3-22 4 #5 Josh Churella, Michigan W; D, 4-2 Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 06-07 16-13 4-4 2 2 4 07-08 34-6 14-3 1 8 12 Career 50-19 18-7 3 10 16

44 HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING Jordan Burroughs S ttephenephen D wwyeryer 165 lbs. z Jr. z South Beloit, Ill. (Hononegah) 2008-09 Outlook the 10th spot on the Husker sophomore wins list. He captured Stephen Dwyer was one of three Huskers to earn All- a title at the Cowboy Open with a 5-0 performance on Nov. 10. America honors as a sophomore last season and will be an He followed with a third-place fi nish at the Kaufman-Brand important upperclassmen in the Nebraska lineup this year. Open by going 6-1 on Nov. 17. One of the most intense wrestlers on the squad, Dwyer is A fi fth-place showing at the Las Vegas Invite on Nov. 30, relentless in training, conditioning and competition. and his performance at the National Duals put him on the map. Dwyer was the only Husker to go 4-0 at the National NCAA Championships Duals, including an opening-round pin of Northwestern’s 2008-Dwyer earned his fi rst All-America honor with Dominic Marella in 2:55. an eighth-place fi nish and a 3-3 record at the NCAA One of Dwyer’s biggest wins of the season came with a 6- Championships. Dwyer opened with a 13-4 major decision 5 decision over No. 7 Jon Reader of Iowa State in Ames on Feb. over Hofstra’s Ryan Patrovich and added a 4-2 decision over 24. Dwyer went 2-2 against the Big 12 in the regular season, Edinboro’s Jarrod King in the second round. with both losses in extra time. His 12-3 dual record and eight A tiebreaker loss put him in the consolation bracket, major decisions ranked second on the team. Dwyer was ranked but Dwyer rebounded with a 5-4 decision over Penn’s Zack Career Accomplishments in the top 12 nationally for most of the season and climbed as Shanaman to secure All-America honors. Dwyer ended his high as No. 7. • 2008 All-American (8th) season with losses to Northern Iowa’s Moza Fay and Iowa 2007-Dwyer started the season by winning 14 of his fi rst • 2008 NWCA All-Academic Team State’s Jon Reader. 15 matches on his way to becoming Nebraska’s starter at • 2008 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team 2007-Dwyer fi nished 1-2 in his fi rst career trip to the 165 pounds. He fi nished with a 19-13 record. He started the NCAA Championships. After losing his fi rst-round match to season by sweeping the amateur bracket at the Cowboy Open • Two-Time NCAA Qualifi er Michael Cannon of American, Dwyer captured an NCAA win in Laramie, Wyo., on Nov. 11. He added a third-place fi nish at with a 7-5 overtime victory over Max Dean of Indiana. Dwyer the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 17. was eliminated with a 5-3 overtime loss to Roger Smith- 2007-08 Match-by-Match Dwyer moved into the starting lineup and fl ourished as the Date Rank Opponent Result Bergrud of Illinois. Dwyer was one of three Husker freshmen Huskers’ 165-pounder. He won his fi rst varsity dual match by 11-9 12 Eric Coxbill, Wyoming W; D, 6-3 to qualify for nationals in 2007. major decision over Ryan Meyer of South Dakota State, 16-5. 2008-09 HUSKERS Cowboy Open, Laramie, Wyo. (Elite-1st) Big 12 Championships After a 7-3 win over Devan Lewis of Northern Colorado, Dwyer 11-10 12 Keenan McCurdy, UNK W; MD, 13-3 won three straight matches in bonus-point fashion, including 11-10 12 Nick Beuter, Unattached W; MD, 10-2 2008-Dwyer entered the Big 12 Championships seeded third, but captured a 3-1 sudden victory upset of second- a pin of Wyoming’s Kyle Morrow and back-to-back major 11-10 12 Eric Coxbill, Wyoming W; OT, 3-1 decision wins over Keenan McCurdy of Nebraska-Kearney and 11-10 12 Zach Lee, Unattached W; D, 3-0 seeded Jake Dieffenbach of Oklahoma State in the semifi nals 11-10 12 Kurt Swartz, Boise State W; D, 4-1 to advance. Both wrestlers notched escapes in regulation Brett Arand of Oregon State. 11-16 11 Mike Galante, Lehigh L; Fall (1:41) before Dwyer earned a takedown with 14 seconds left in Dwyer then faced seven straight ranked opponents, Kaufman-Brand Open, Omaha, Neb. (Elite-3rd) overtime for the win. including six top-10 foes. He defeated No. 16 Shane Siebert 11-17 11 Jordan Kolbow, Unattached W; TF, 16-1 In the fi nals, top-seeded Nick Marable of Missouri scored of Oklahoma with a 4-1 win on Feb. 9. Dwyer picked up his 11-17 11 Henry Wahle, Nebraska-Omaha W; D, 6-1 a takedown 30 seconds into the match, and neither wrestler last win of the regular season in a 5-1 triumph over Lehigh’s 11-17 11 Scott Glasser, Unattached L; D, 5-4 could produce much offense after that. Marable escaped with Manuel Schubert. 11-17 11 Keenan McCurdy, UNK W; D, 3-1 a 3-2 victory as Dwyer fi nished second. Before Nebraska-The 2006 Illinois class AA state 11-17 11 Jake Kerr, Iowa W; D, 5-4 champion at Hononegah High School in Rockton, Ill., Dwyer 11-17 11 Colby Covington, Iowa Central CC W; D, 3-2, TB3 2007-Despite facing three ranked foes, Dwyer clinched a bid to the NCAA Championships with a third-place fi nish at the fi nished his senior year with a 43-1 record. He was a runner- 11-17 11 Scott Glasser, Unattached W; SV, 7-5 up at 152 pounds as a junior in 2005, fi nishing with a 35-6 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite, Las Vegas, Nev. (5th) Big 12 Championships. In the fi rst round, Dwyer dominated 11-30 9 Chris Musser, Brown W; MD, 11-3 18th-ranked Shane Siebert of Oklahoma in an 11-2 major record. 11-30 9 Byron Sigmon, UNC-Greensboro W; MD, 17-4 decision victory. After an 8-5 loss to No. 1 Johny Hendricks of Personal 11-30 9 Bryan Tice, Cal State-Fullerton W; D, 8-1 Oklahoma State in the semifi nals, Dwyer upset No. 7 Matt Pell The son of David Dwyer and Lora Cook, Stephen was born 11-30 9 Chris Brown, Old Dominion W; D, 9-3 of Missouri in a 10-8 overtime victory to take third. March 2, 1988, in Rockford, Ill. He has two brothers, David, 12-1 9 Eric Tannenbaum, Michigan L; D, 5-2 12-1 9 Pat Pitsch, Arizona State L; D, 5-4 Career Notes Jr., and Matthew and one sister, Natalie. He is a business 12-1 9 Jarrod King, Edinboro W; D, 3-1 2008-With his 32-10 record on the season, Dwyer claimed administration major at NU. 12-6 8 Scott Glasser, Minnesota W; D, 8-7 1-2 8 Devan Lewis, Northern Colo. W; MD, 11-2 1-4 8 Keegan Davis, Oregon State W; MD, 12-2 National Duals, Cedar Falls, Iowa (2nd) 1-12 8 Dominic Marella, Northwestern W; Fall (2:55) 1-12 8 Dave Rella, Penn State W; D, 5-3 1-13 8 Tyler Safratowich, Minnesota W; D, 4-1 1-13 8 Aaron Janssen, Iowa W; D, 8-6 1-20 8 #5 Jake Dieffenbach, Okla. St. L; D, 10-8 SV 2-2 9 #2 Nick Marable, Missouri L; D, 3-2 TB 2-10 10 #20 Max Dean, Oklahoma W; D, 8-6 2-16 10 Jason Lapham, Rider W; MD, 12-3 2-17 10 Ryan Patrovich, Hofstra W; D, 11-5 2-24 10 #7 Jon Reader, Iowa State W; D, 6-5 Big 12 Championships, Stillwater, Okla. (2nd) 3-8 7 #5 Jake Dieffenbach, Okla. St. W; D, 3-1 SV 3-8 7 #2 Nick Marable, Missouri L; D, 3-2 NCAA Championships, St. Louis, Mo. (8th) 3-20 5 Ryan Patrovich, Hofstra W; MD, 13-4 3-20 5 #13 Jarrod King, Edinboro W; D, 4-2 3-21 5 #4 Mack Lewnes, Cornell L; D, 6-5 TB 3-21 5 #14 Zack Shanaman, Penn W; D, 5-4 3-21 5 #8 Moza Fay, Northern Iowa L; Fall (2:39) 3-22 5 #6 Jon Reader, Iowa State L; D, 10-7 Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 06-07 19-13 7-9 2 1 6 07-08 32-10 12-3 1 1 8 Career 51-23 19-12 3 2 14

HUSKERS.COM 45 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING Paatricktrick Alleksanyaneksanyan 133 lbs. z Sr. z Santa Ana, Calif. (Calvary Chapel) 2008-09 Outlook and a 2-8 dual mark, before torn ligaments in his elbow forced Patrick Aleksanyan is another Husker who returns this him to have season-ending surgery. season with national championship experience. Aleksanyan He started the season 4-5 after a 1-2 record at the Cowboy will look to return to the NCAAs this season and fi nish his Open on Nov. 11 and a sixth-place fi nish in the elite bracket at career in the Scarlet and Cream on a high note, as he drops to the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 18. After a 2-2 showing at 133 pounds after competing at 141 last season. the UNI Open, Aleksanyan split his fi rst four dual matches of the year, defeating Cory VomBaur of Wyoming in overtime on NCAA Championships Dec. 16 and Chris Diehl of Michigan at the National Duals. 2006-In his NCAA appearance, Aleksanyan went 1-2 at Aleksanyan earned a second-place fi nish at the Glen Brand 133 pounds. In the fi rst round, Aleksanyan pinned David Open on Jan. 20, then wrestled in Nebraska’s last six dual Armstrong of Cleveland State with 48 seconds to go in the fi rst matches to close the season. During that stretch, Aleksanyan period. Aleksanyan gained control early with a takedown 20 faced fi fth-ranked Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State, ninth- seconds into the match. After Armstrong earned a point with ranked Mack Reiter of Minnesota and top-ranked Matt Valenti a release, Aleksanyan took Armstrong down again with 1:17 to of Penn. Career Accomplishments go, then pinned him 29 seconds later. Aleksanyan suffered an 2006-In his fi rst season at Nebraska after transferring • 2006 NCAA Qualifi er 11-2 major decision loss to Thomas Clum of Wisconsin in the from Cal State Fullerton, Aleksanyan started at 133 pounds second round, before being eliminated in a 14-7 loss to Scott for most of the year. Aleksanyan fi nished second on the team • Two-Time Big 12 Honor Roll Selection Jorgensen of Boise State. with 38 takedowns in dual competition. • Returning Starter/Letterwinner Big 12 Championships He took second at the UNI Open with a 4-1 record, then 2006-With a third-place fi nish at 133 pounds at the Big followed with wins in four of his next six matches. At the 12 Championships, Aleksanyan clinched his fi rst career bid to NWCA National Duals, Aleksanyan gave NU a 12-0 lead after two matches in its fi rst-round dual against Iowa with a pin 2007-08 Match-by-Match the NCAA Championships. Date Opponent Result Aleksanyan entered as the fourth seed and defeated of Daniel Dennis 1:58 into the match. Aleksanyan also was Cowboy Open, Laramie, Wyo. (Elite) Oklahoma’s Joe Comparin 3-1 in the fi rst-round match. key in Nebraska’s third-place match with his win over 14th- 11-10 Nate Gardner, Utah Valley State L; D, 6-5 After a semifi nal loss to Nathan Morgan of Oklahoma State, ranked Jason Borrelli of Central Michigan in overtime, 6-4. 11-10 Curtis Salazar, Nebraska W; D, 4-3 Aleksanyan punched his ticket to nationals with a 10-9 win Before Nebraska-Aleksanyan came to Nebraska from 11-10 Jeff Newby, Utah Valley State L; D, 5-2 over Jesse Sundell of Iowa State in the third-place match. Cal State Fullerton, where he wrestled to a 2-2 record in Kaufman-Brand Open, Omaha, Neb. (Elite) open competition, after an accomplished career at Calvary 11-17 Chris Brown, Iowa Central CC W; Fall (1:25) Career Notes Chapel High School in California. As a senior, Aleksanyan 11-17 Carter Downing, Wyoming L; MD, 15-3 2008-Aleksanyan was one of four Nebraska wrestlers to went 46-3 and fi nished second at the state championships. 11-17 Adam Manz, Dana W; D, 8-3 see starting time at 141 pounds. Aleksanyan notched an 8-7 That followed a 44-6 junior season that saw him fi nish third 2008-09 HUSKERS 11-17 Efrain Ayala, Minn. State-Mankato L; D, 6-5 overall record and went 2-1 in duals. at state. Overall, Aleksanyan was 161-31 in his four years Bob Smith Open, Hays, Kan. Aleksanyan appeared in three open tournaments. He of varsity competition at Calvary Chapel. Also highlighting 12-1 James Fox, Northwestern W; Fall (1:52) earned a 1-2 record at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 10, a 2-2 Aleksanyan’s resume was a second-place fi nish at Fila Junior 12-1 Dylan Loyd, Fort Hays State W; MD, 15-3 mark in the elite division of the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. Nationals, a Fargo Junior National All-America honor and a 12-1 Adam Keiswetter, Unattached L; Fall (0:50) 17, and went 3-2 at the Bob Smith Open on Dec. 1. fi fth-place fi nish at University Nationals wrestling on Team 12-1 Brad Esterl, Fort Hays State W; MD, 16-5 Aleksanyan ended his season with three straight dual Thunder, coached by his father Vanick Aleksanyan. appearances against Dana, Northern Colorado and Oregon 12-1 Curtis Salazar, Nebraska L; D, 4-0 Personal 12-15 Adam Manz, Dana W; MD, 18-5 State. Aleksanyan’s season was highlighted by an 18-5 major decision over Dana’s Adam Manz on Dec. 15 in the The son of Vanick Aleksanyan and Anna Terzyan, Patvakan 1-2 Richard Lohr, Northern Colo. W; D, 6-1 “Patrick” Aleksanyan was born Aug. 20, 1985, in Yerevan, 1-4 Heinrich Barnes, Oregon State L; D, 6-3 NU Coliseum. Aleksanyan also defeated Northern Colorado’s Richard Lohr in dual action. Armenia. Patrick has two brothers, Arsen and Dahvid. 2007-Aleksanyan split time with Mike Rowe as Nebraska’s Aleksanyan is majoring in criminal justice. Year-by-Year starter at 133 pounds. Aleksanyan wrestled to an 11-16 record Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 05-06 17-16 7-10 3 0 3 06-07 11-13 2-5 2 2 2 07-08 8-7 2-1 2 0 3 Career 36-36 11-16 7 2 8

46 HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING Patrick Aleksanyan V iincence J oonesnes 184 lbs. z Sr. z Sicklerville, N.J. (Winslow Township) 2008-09 Outlook Career Notes After an impressive showing at last year’s NCAA 2008-After opening the season with three straight pins at Championships, Vince Jones will attempt to carry that the Las Vegas Invite, Jones went on to amass a 23-15 record, momentum into his senior season at Nebraska. Jones narrowly including a 9-6 dual mark. Jones fi nished sixth in Las Vegas missed claiming an All-America honor, but is one of the most and climbed into the national rankings shortly thereafter, experienced wrestlers in the Husker room and is known for his moving as high as ninth. explosive offensive abilities. Jones was the only Husker to compete at the Midlands Championships, suffering a 9-8 opening-round loss. He NCAA Championships rebounded with three straight wins before being eliminated. 2008-Jones earned a wild-card berth to nationals and Jones opened the New Year with a 10-1 run, including a fi nished with a 2-2 showing in which he was one second away 3-1 record at the National Duals on Jan. 12-13. Jones sparked from becoming an All-American. a come-from-behind dual victory over Minnesota with his pin Jones opened with a 9-4 decision over Northern Iowa’s of then-No. 2 Roger Kish with four seconds left in the match. Andy O’Loughlin, but pulled one of the biggest upsets of Seventeen of Jones’ 23 wins were bonus-point victories, the tournament with his 7-5 decision over No. 3 Tyrel Todd including his team-leading 10 pins on the season. Career Accomplishments of Michigan. Jones lost a tight 3-1 decision to Missouri’s 2007-Jones sat out the 2007 campaign. Raymond Jordan to drop into the consolation bracket where he 2006-Jones proved to be an electrifying addition to • Two-Time NCAA Qualifi er faced Big 12 foe Jack Jensen of Oklahoma State. • Returning Starter Nebraska’s roster, as he led the team with 12 wins by fall. Jones took an early 6-1 lead before a furious rally by Jones jumped into Nebraska’s starting lineup for the National • Returning Letterwinner Jensen. Jones gave up a takedown in the third period that Duals, and in his fi rst dual match, defeated second-ranked allowed Jensen to collect exactly one minute of riding time and Paul Bradley of Iowa, 4-3. Later that day, Jones pinned 17th- earn the win with that point, 7-6. ranked Tyrel Todd of Michigan 41 seconds into their match. 2007-08 Match-by-Match 2006-In his fi rst trip to nationals, Jones fi nished 2-2 at After winning by major decision over Brent Parkey of Oklahoma Date Rank Opponent Result 184 pounds. In the fi rst round, Jones lost to Kent State’s Alex State, 15-4, Jones defeated 20th-ranked Christian Stinnott of Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite, Las Vegas, Nev. (6th) Camargo, 9-7. Jones mounted an impressive comeback from Central Michigan, 6-4, to earn his fourth win of the National 2008-09 HUSKERS 11-30 Tommy Spellman, Virginia Tech W; Fall (0:52) an early 7-2 fi rst-period defi cit to draw within one with 1:55 to Duals. Only Jacob Klein matched Jones’ four wins among NU 11-30 Charlie Gibbs, Missouri Valley W; Fall (0:47) go in the match, but a takedown by Camargo with just over a wrestlers. 11-30 Ryan Goodman, N.C. State W; Fall (0:29) minute left clinched the win for Camargo. Jones advanced to After a loss to No. 5 Josh Glenn of American, Jones 11-30 Louis Caputo, Harvard L; D, 6-4 the fi rst consolation round with a win by fall over Jesse Taylor fi nished 2-2 in conference dual wrestling, including a 14-5 12-1 Matt Casperson, Boise State W; D, 11-4 of Cal State Fullerton 52 seconds into their pigtail consolation major decision over No. 14 Justin Dyer of Oklahoma, 14-5. 12-1 Lior Zamir, Penn W; D, 5-4 bracket match. Jones stayed alive in the consolation bracket Jones moved up to the varsity after dominating the open 12-1 Raymond Jordan, Missouri L; D, 8-4 with a 9-6 victory over Ron Howard of Cleveland State, before tournament ranks. He fi nished second with a 4-1 day at the 12-1 Louis Caputo, Harvard L; D, 8-6 being eliminated by Iowa’s Paul Bradley, 10-3. Kaufman-Brand Open. All four of his wins were falls. Jones 12-6 11 Roger Kish, Minnesota L; D, 6-2 then won the UNI Open on Dec. 4 on the strength of fi ve wins, 12-7 11 Open, SDSU W; Forfeit Big 12 Championships including four pins. On Jan. 7, Jones won the Dana College 15 10 Jon Wilbourne, Dana W; Fall, 1:33 2008-Jones went 0-2 at the 2008 Big 12 Championships Open 184-pound championship on the strength of four wins Midlands Championships, Evanston, Ill. to fi nish fi fth, but received a wild-card bid to nationals in a 12-29 10 Jared Deaguero, Adams State L; D, 9-8 deep 184-pound weight class. Jones lost a 3-2 decision to by fall. 12-29 10 Michael Burke, Wabash W; MD, 14-3 Oklahoma State’s Jack Jensen and fell to Missouri’s Raymond Before Nebraska- Jones was ranked fi fth nationally in his 12-29 10 Jim Ciccone, Air Force W; D, 9-5 Jordan 8-3. weight class after a high school career in which he earned a 12-29 10 Vinnie Wagner, Iowa W; MD, 14-5 2006-Jones received one of eight wild-card berths to the 137-12 record with 97 wins by fall. Jones was a two-time state 12-30 10 Louis Caputo, Harvard L; TF, 15-0 NCAA Championships, as he fi nished in fourth place with champion and three-year state medalist at Winslow Township 1-2 10 Vincente Medez, Northern Colo. W; MD, 15-5 a 1-2 record in his fi rst career appearance at the Big 12 High School for Coach Rick Koss. Jones earned four letters in 1-4 10 Kyle Bressler, Oregon State W; Fall (1:48) Championships. wrestling and three more in football. National Duals, Cedar Falls, Iowa (2nd) The No. 2 seed at 184 pounds, Jones fell to Missouri’s 1-12 10 Adil Kolovic, Northwestern W; MD, 19-8 Personal Raymond Jordan, 11-10 in the semifi nals. After a 13-5 The son of Florinza and Robin Jones, Vince was born Nov. 1-12 10 #14 Philip Bomberger, Penn St. W; D, 10-5 major decision win over Oklahoma’s Justin Dyer, Jones lost to 26, 1986. He has a sister, LeKeishia, and two brothers, Robin, 1-13 10 #2 Roger Kish, Minnesota W; Fall (6:56) Oklahoma State’s Rusty Blackmon in the third-place match. Jr. and Dominick. Jones is a sociology major. 1-13 10 #11 Philip Keddy, Iowa L; D, 8-1 1-20 12 Jack Jensen, Okla. State W; Fall (1:48) Jimmie Open, Jamestown, N.D. (1st) 1-26 11 Adam Hill, St. Cloud State W; Fall (0:48) 1-26 11 Kurt Wiedrich, Mary W; MD, 13-5 1-26 11 Jairo Sandoval, St. Cloud State W; MD, 15-1 1-26 11 Colte Dimas, MSU-Northern W; Fall (1:37) 2-2 10 #6 Raymond Jordan, Missouri L; MD, 11-3 2-10 9 #6 Joshua Weitzel, Oklahoma L; D, 7-2 2-16 9 #12 Doug Umbehauer, Rider L; D, 3-2 2-17 9 Justin Danz, Hofstra W; Fall (5:58) 2-24 13 #1 Jake Varner, Iowa State L; D, 5-1 Big 12 Championships, Stillwater, Okla. (5th) 3-8 13 Jack Jensen, Oklahoma State L; D, 3-2 3-8 13 #5 Raymond Jordan, Missouri L; D, 8-3 NCAA Championiships, St. Louis, Mo. 3-20 15 Andy O’Loughlin, Northern Iowa W; D, 9-4 3-20 15 #3 Tyrel Todd, Michigan W; D, 7-5 3-21 15 #7 Raymond Jordan, Missouri L; D, 3-1 3-21 15 #14 Jack Jensen, Okla. State L; D, 7-6 Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 05-06 23-13 6-3 14 0 3 06-07 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 07-08 23-15 9-6 10 0 6 Career 46-28 15-9 24 0 9

HUSKERS.COM 47 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING R oobertbert S aandersnders 157 lbs. z Sr. z Blanding, Utah (San Juan) 2008-09 Outlook Sanders fi nished 2-2 at the Las Vegas Invitational Robert Sanders battled two wrestlers and injuries for including an 8-7 win over 20th-ranked Jason McGee of Kent starting time last year, but is healthy this season and ready State in the consolation bracket. to compete for a spot in the NU lineup. An NCAA qualifi er in After a third-place fi nish at the Dana College Open on Jan. 2006, Sanders will look to capitalize on his experience and 6, Sanders split his two matches at the National Duals, losing determination to end his Husker campaign with a successful to third-ranked Josh Churella of Michigan before defeating season. Alex Grunder of Iowa, 7-2. Sanders lost a pair of dual matches to ranked conference NCAA Championships opponents to close the season. After losing to 16th-ranked 2006-In his NCAA Championships debut, Sanders went Cyler Sanderson of Iowa State, Sanders lost to ninth-ranked 1-2 at 149 pounds. In the fi rst round, Sanders came back Josh Wagner of Missouri in his fi nal match of the season. from a 2-1 fi rst-period defi cit to defeat David Jauregui of West 2006-An academic All-Big 12 performer in the classroom, Virginia, 6-3, at 149 pounds. Sanders clinched the match Sanders split time with Ryan Davis as the starter at 149 with a takedown with 39 seconds to go. In the second round, pounds early in the season, before taking over for the last Sanders suffered an 11-2 major decision loss to Matt Storniolo three conference duals. Career Accomplishments of Oklahoma. Sanders’ trip to nationals ended with a 5-2 loss Sanders fi nished 3-2 at the Harold Nichols Open on Nov. • 2006 NWCA All-Academic Team to Trevor Chinn of Lehigh. 12, then split his fi rst two dual matches for the Huskers. After • 2007 Academic All-Big 12 First Team Big 12 Championships a 2-2 performance at the UNI Open on Dec. 4, Sanders got • 2006 NCAA Qualifi er 2006-Seeded fi fth at 149 pounds, Sanders went 2-1 at back on the winning track with a 7-6 decision over Orlando the Big 12 Championships to earn an automatic bid to the Perez of Oregon State on Dec. 17 at the Nebraska Duals. • Five-Time Big 12 Honor Roll Selection NCAA Championships. Sanders earned the Brand Open championship at 149 • Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Sanders won his fi rst-round match by major decision over pounds on Jan. 21, then lost a pair of Big 12 matches to top- Josh Wagner of Missouri, 12-3, before losing to Oklahoma seven competition before falling in the fi nal conference dual State’s Zack Esposito. In the third-place match, Sanders of the season to fi nish 0-3. 2007-08 Match-by-Match defeated Iowa State’s Jason Knipp, 6-3, to earn the trip to 2005-Thanks to a strong fi nish when he placed in his Date Opponent Result nationals. last four open tournaments, Sanders fi nished with a 21-12 Cowboy Open, Laramie, Wyo. (Elite) mark at 149 pounds. After a 1-2 fi nish at the Harold Nichols 11-10 Elijah Hutchinson, Boise State W; D, 7-1 Career Notes Open, Sanders won three of fi ve matches in the 20-and-under 11-10 Jake Kriegbaum, Air Force L; MD, 10-2 2008-Sanders battled three other Huskers for the starting division at the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 20. A 1-2 fi nish 11-10 Stephen Makuka, Air Force W; MD, 12-2 nod at 141 pounds, earning three dual appearances and at the UNI Open on Dec. 4 was followed by a sixth-place fi nish 11-10 Carter Downing, Unattached L; D, 5-3 notching a 1-2 mark, while fi nishing 8-8 overall. at the UNK Runza Loper Open on Dec. 11. Sanders won four of 11-16 Kyle Rosser, Lehigh W; MD, 14-4 Sanders went 2-2 at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 10, before six matches at the Beamon Open on Jan. 8, to earn his fi rst

2008-09 HUSKERS Kaufman-Brand Open, Omaha, Neb. (Elite) earning his fi rst dual win of the season with a 14-4 major of two straight fourth-place fi nishes. The second came at the 11-17 Dan Rowe, Dana W; TF, 15-0 decision over Lehigh’s Kyle Rosser on Nov. 16. Sanders went Brand Open on Jan. 15, as he again won four of six matches. 11-17 Daniel Leclere, Unattached L; D, 6-3 3-2 in the elite division of the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. Sanders ended the year with a second-place fi nish at the 11-17 Jeremy McCoy, Unattached W; MD, 13-3 17, and fi nished 2-2 at the Las Vegas Invite on Nov. 30. Great Plains Open in Lincoln on Jan. 29. 11-17 Travis Grawin, Lutheran W; D, 5-3 Sanders also made two dual appearances against Before Nebraska-Sanders won two state championships 11-17 Jeff Rutledge, Nebraska-Kearney L; D, 7-5 Northwestern at the National Duals on Jan. 12, and against for his father, Coach Bob Sanders, at San Juan High School. Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite, Las Vegas, Nev. Oklahoma State on Jan. 20. Sanders lost both matches, and In his senior year, Sanders went 51-0 at 140 pounds, capping 11-30 Brandon Nice, Missouri Valley W; MD, 14-2 an injury kept him out of NU’s lineup the rest of the season. a 169-9 career in which he won 100 matches by fall. Sanders 11-30 Sal Tirico, Columbia L; D, 8-3 2007-Sanders fi nished his sophomore season with a 17- lettered in wrestling (four years), football (one year), baseball 11-30 Nexi Delgado, Cal-Davis W; D, 7-3 12 record as he split time with Jordan Burroughs as Nebraska’s (two years) and track (one year). He earned academic all-state 11-30 Torsten Gillespie, Edinboro L; D, 9-7 starter at 149 pounds. honors in football, wrestling and track. National Duals, Cedar Falls, Iowa (2nd) After a 2-2 start to the season at the Cowboy Open, 11-12 Keith Sulzer, Northwestern L; D, 6-0 Sanders went 3-2 at the Kaufman-Brand Open the following Personal 11-20 #2 Nathan Morgan, Okla. State L; MD, 21-9 week. In his fi rst dual action of the year, Sanders fell in The son of Robert and Leslie Sanders, Robert was born in overtime 7-5 to Jon Bonilla-Bowman of Virginia Tech on Nov. Cortez, Colo., on Sept. 29, 1985. He has one brother, Paul, who Year-by-Year 24. Sanders rebounded the following day with a 6-5 win over is a sophomore on the team. Robert is majoring in nutritional Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD Andrew Schlaffer of Maryland. science and dietetics at Nebraska. 04-05* 21-12 0-0 2 0 0 05-06 13-13 2-6 1 0 3 06-07 17-12 5-5 0 0 2 07-08 8-8 1-2 0 1 4 Career 38-33 8-13 1 1 9 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals.

48 HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING R obert S anders

A llexex Leevivi Caameronmeron H oowardward Wooffordfford Brrowneowne Jr. z 165 lbs. Jr. z 184 lbs. So. z 197 lbs. 2008-09 HUSKERS Beale Air Base, Calif. Aurora, Neb. (Aurora) Plattsmouth, Neb. (Bay/Sierra College) 2008-09 Outlook (Plattsmouth) Levi Wofford proved to be a viable option last season and is 2008-09 Outlook a vital component to the Huskers’ national title chase this year. 2008-09 Outlook A well-traveled wrestler, Alex Howard joins the Nebraska Cameron Browne will provide experienced depth for the wrestling team after spending the last two years at Sierra Big 12 Championships Huskers behind All-American Craig Brester at 197 pounds. College. Howard is a proven wrestler who has seen action 2007-Wofford went 0-2 in his fi rst career trip to the Big all over the nation and will be a solid addition behind All- 12 Championships. He lost to Josh Hinton of Oklahoma, 4-3, Big 12 Championships 2007-Browne went 0-2 at heavyweight at the Big 12 American Stephen Dwyer at 165 pounds. before being eliminated in a 9-4 loss to Oklahoma State’s Jack Championships. Browne lost to Oklahoma’s Brad Farmer, Jensen. Career Notes 9-5, before losing to No. 20 Mark Ellis of Missouri by major Before Nebraska-Howard has spent the last two Career Notes decision. years wrestling for Coach Ken Wharry at Sierra College in 2008-Wofford went 9-5 at 184 pounds, wrestling in three Sacramento, Calif. Howard placed second at the California open tournaments and one dual. Wofford made his dual Career Notes 2008-Browne placed in all fi ve open tournaments he community college state tournament at 184 pounds in 2007. memorable with a 13-4 major decision win over Alex Iacocca competed in at 197 pounds and won two titles during his Howard split his high school career between Nebraska to help NU hold off Lehigh on Nov. 16. Wrestling at 197 pounds, redshirt season. Browne went 3-0 at the UNK Loper Open on and Florida. He spent his fi rst two years at Papillion-LaVista Wofford gave up an early takedown, but scored 10 points in Dec. 8, and 3-0 at the Hastings Open on Jan. 12 to win both with fellow Husker Matt Vacanti. Wrestling for Coach Jeff the second and third period, including two late nearfalls, to events. Browne added a 4-1 performance, including two pins, Kupfer, Howard was a two-time state qualifi er at 125 and 145 earn the victory. Wofford placed fourth at the Bob Smith Open to place second at the Dana Open on Jan. 5. He fi nished the pounds. A move to Florida relocated him to Bay High School in on Dec. 1, and ended the season with a second-place effort at season with a 15-5 record, collecting three pins, two technical Panama City and Coach Jason Seymour. Howard placed sixth the Brand Open on Jan. 19. falls and three major decisions. at the state tournament his junior season with a 38-9 record 2007-Wofford fi nished the season with a 13-17 record 2007-One of three true freshmen in Nebraska’s starting at 152 pounds and claimed fi fth his senior year after a 46- after a 12-5 start. He won his fi rst two career dual matches, lineup, Browne fought to a 12-11 record. 4 campaign at 160. He fi nished with a 128-36 career high including an 8-7 upset of ninth-ranked Steve Borja of Virginia Before Nebraska-Browne won the state championship as school record. Tech on Nov. 24. Wofford followed with a pin of Rich DiPietro of a senior at 215 pounds for Plattsmouth High School to close Maryland. Wofford stretched his winning streak to four matches a 36-1 senior season. Browne was a runner-up at 215 as a Personal with a pair of early wins at the Las Vegas Invitational, before The son of Frank and Maureen Howard, Alex was born on junior and took fi fth as a sophomore. back-to-back losses knocked him out of the placing rounds. Nov. 15, 1987, in Altus, Okla. He has one sister, Emily, and one 2006-Wofford earned four top-three fi nishes during a 24-7 brother, Austin. Alex is a criminal justice major at Nebraska. Personal season at NU. He closed with a pair of open championships. The son of Bradley and Thayes Browne, Cameron was born Before Nebraska-Wofford was the Dave Shultz Award Nov. 10, 1987, in Blytheville, Ark. He has one sister, Aimee, winner for the state of Nebraska after a pair of undefeated and three brothers, Aaron, Brandon and Jesse. Brandon is a state championship seasons at Aurora High School for Coach senior on the NU wrestling team. Cameron is a communication Bill Wofford. Levi led Aurora to four Class B state runner-up studies major at Nebraska. fi nishes with four career top-fi ve fi nishes. Named a senior national All-American, Wofford fi nished third at the Brute Year-by-Year adidas nationals and eighth at the senior nationals. Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 06-07 12-11 1-5 3 1 1 Personal 07-08* 15-5 0-0 3 2 3 The son of Bill and Shelly Wofford, Levi was born in Grand Career 27-16 1-5 6 3 4 Island, Neb., on April 4, 1986. Levi has four sisters, Debbie, Kylie, *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals. Katie and Kendal. Wofford is a communication studies major. Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 05-06* 24-7 0-0 5 0 5 06-07 13-17 7-10 2 1 1 07-08 9-5 1-0 1 1 2 Career 22-22 8-10 3 2 3 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals.

HUSKERS.COM 49 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

A nndydy P eeterter C uurtisrtis J oohnsonhnson R oototo S aalazarlazar 174 lbs z So. 133 lbs. z So. 141 lbs. z So. Yankton, S.D. (Yankton) Palatine, Ill. (Palatine) Greeley, Colo. (Valley) 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook Andy Johnson established himself last season as a viable Peter Roto will continue his development at 133 pounds Following several dual appearances for the Huskers last option behind All-American Brandon Browne at 174 pounds this season and push several wrestlers for starting time at the season, Curtis Salazar will vie for more starts this year at and will continue to be a positive force in the room this year. weight. 141 pounds. Salazar’s upbeat attitude and commitment have aided in his development. Career Notes 2008-09 HUSKERS Career Notes 2008-Johnson stepped up to 174 pounds during his 2008-Roto saw action in six open tournaments at 133 Career Notes second year in the Husker program and into spot duty in the and 141 pounds, notching a 2-12 mark. Roto earned his fi rst 2008-Salazar was one of four wrestlers to contend for the dual lineup. Seeing action in four open tournaments, Johnson career collegiate win with a 5-0 decision over Hastings’ Mitch starting position at 141 during the 2007-08 season. Making ended the season with an 11-6 overall record and 3-1 mark in Hevert at the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 17. three appearances in duals for NU, Salazar fi nished the season duals. The highlight of Roto’s season was his 16-0 technical fall with a 2-1 dual mark and a 10-7 overall record. Johnson proved valuable in a backup role during the dual of Hastings’ Matt Watchorn at 141 pounds at the Brand Open Salazar’s campaign was highlighted by a 7-5 sudden season. He earned 13 dual points while allowing just three. on Jan. 19. victory over South Dakota State’s Adam Everson in Nebraska’s Johnson made his fi rst career dual start a memorable one with 2007-Roto fi nished 0-6 in his fi rst year in the NU program, dual with the Jackrabbits on Dec. 7. Salazar also earned six a pin of Colt Reece in 2:06 at 184 pounds in Nebraska’s win competing in the UNI Open on Dec. 2, the Dana College Open points for the Huskers in their season-opening dual with over Wyoming on Nov. 9. He also held No. 11 David Craig to a on Jan. 6, and the Glen Brand Open on Jan. 20. Wyoming on Nov. 9. 9-4 victory at 184 pounds in NU’s dual with Lehigh on Nov. 16. Before Nebraska-Roto was a three-year letterwinner at Salazar was just one win away from placing in the elite Returning to 174 pounds, he notched a 20-7 major decision Palatine High School for Coach Dan Collins. As a junior, Roto division of the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 17. He recorded against South Dakota State’s Justin Retallic and ended his won the 140-pound championship in the Berman Holiday two technical falls in a 4-2 showing, but came up just short. dual showings with an 8-2 win over Dana’s Tony Ponce. Wrestling Classic, hosted by Palatine High School. Roto also 2007-Salazar fi nished 18-9 in a solid redshirt season that Johnson fi nished the season with two pins and three major lettered in football at PHS. saw him fi nish in the top fi ve in three tournaments during the decisions. year at 149 pounds. 2007-Johnson went 2-3 in his fi rst year at Nebraska as Personal Salazar swept through the 149-pound amateur bracket of a 165-pounder. After losing his fi rst two college matches, Peter was born in Evanston, Ill., on Jan. 25, 1988. He is the Cowboy Open on Nov. 11, winning his fi rst four college Johnson went 2-1 with a win by fall at the Glen Brand Open on the son of Marianne and Rick Roto. Peter has two sisters, matches to earn the championship. He stretched his career- Jan. 20. Stephanie and Christine, and one brother, Nick. Peter is opening winning streak to seven with three wins in the fi rst Before Nebraska-Johnson capped a strong four-year majoring in English education at Nebraska. three rounds of the Kaufman-Brand Open. career at Yankton High School with a dominant 34-0 senior Year-by-Year Before Nebraska-Salazar was a three-time state champion season at 171 pounds for Coach Ryan Hage. Among his 34 Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD and a four-time top-three fi nisher for Coach Mike Caciari at wins as a senior, 26 were by fall, setting a school record for 06-07* 0-6 0-0 0 0 0 Valley High School. Salazar wrestled to a 153-6 record and pins in a season. Johnson was named the most outstanding 07-08 2-12 0-0 0 1 0 capped his career with a 95-match winning streak. He won the wrestler at the 2006 South Dakota state championships. He Career 2-12 0-0 0 1 0 145-pound class 3A state championship as a senior, the 135- was also a state champion as a junior. *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals. pound crown after a 39-0 junior season, and the 130-pound title as a sophomore to close a 39-2 record. Personal Andy is the son of Bret and Kim Johnson and was born April Personal 5, 1988, in Bryant, S.D. He has two brothers, Gene and Tyler. The son of Ernie and Kathy Salazar, Curtis was born in Andy is a nutritional science and dietetics major at NU. Greeley, Colo., on Sept. 24, 1987. He has one sister, Cassidy, Year-by-Year and two brothers, Cameron and Corey. Curtis is a sociology Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD major at Nebraska. 06-07* 2-3 0-0 1 0 0 Year-by-Year 07-08 11-6 3-1 2 0 3 Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD Career 11-6 3-1 2 0 3 06-07* 18-9 0-0 4 0 2 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals. 07-08 10-7 2-1 0 2 1 Career 10-7 2-1 0 2 1 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals.

50 HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

C urtis P aaulul M aatttt A llexex S alazar S aandersnders V aacanticanti W aardrd 149 lbs. z So. 133 lbs. z So. 165 lbs. z So. 2008-09 HUSKERS Blanding, Utah (San Juan) Papillion, Neb. Davidsonville, Md. 2008-09 Outlook (Papillion-LaVista) (Mt. St. Joseph’s) Paul Sanders moves to 149 pounds this season after 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook competing at 157 last season. He will be a reliable option Matt Vacanti sat out last season with a knee injury, Alex Ward will provide talented depth at 165 pounds for behind All-American Jordan Burroughs. but returns healthy this year and is a candidate to start for the Huskers behind All-American Stephen Dwyer. Nebraska at 133 pounds. One of the best high school wrestlers Career Notes in the history of Nebraska, Vacanti will look to continue that Career Notes 2008-Sanders went 8-11 at 157 pounds in fi ve open success at the collegiate level. 2008-Ward began his freshman year with a 5-9 record at tournaments during his freshman season. His year was 165 pounds in four open tournaments, but he rebounded with highlighted by a 3-2 showing at the Bob Smith Open on Dec. 1. Career Notes a 10-2 mark at the Dana and Brand opens to fi nish the season Sanders notched his one fall of the season at the tournament 2008-Vacanti suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in with a 15-11 record. by pinning Hastings’ Robert Rentfro in 4:45. his knee early in the fall that put him out for the 2007-08 Ward’s campaign was highlighted by a season-ending 7-1 Sanders also placed sixth at the Dana Open on Jan. 5, season. effort to fi nish third at the Brand Open on Jan. 19. Ward lost notching an 11-9 win over Nebraska-Omaha’s Steve Clayberg 2007-Vacanti was named NU’s Redshirt of the Year after a a 7-6 decision to Iowa State’s Andrew Sorenson in the second and an 8-3 decision over Dana’s Jason Bilinski. 17-2 season where he earned two individual championships round, but followed with six wins, and defeated Sorenson in 2007-Sanders went 3-8 in his fi rst year at Nebraska. and fi nished in the top-three twice. the consolation bracket to claim third. After losing the fi rst two matches of his Husker career at the In his fi rst college tournament, Vacanti wrestled to a 6-1 Ward also made his fi rst career dual appearance against Kaufman-Brand Open, Sanders went 1-2 at the UNI Open, the record at the Harold Nichols Open on Nov. 11. Vacanti opened Dana on Dec. 15. He lost a 5-2 decision to Ryan Tuzon, but Dana College Open and the Glen Brand Open. his career with a 13-3 major decision over Matt Chustz of gained valuable experience. Ward fi nished the season with Before Nebraska-Sanders was a three-time state William Penn. two pins, one technical fall and one major decision. champion for Blanding San Juan High School in Blanding, Before Nebraska-Vacanti was the 13th four-time state 2007-Ward fi nished 16-11 in his fi rst year wrestling at Utah, as he wrestled for his father and coach, Robert Sanders. champion in the history of Nebraska high school wrestling at Nebraska, including a sixth-place fi nish at the Kaufman- Paul fi nished off his high school career with a 52-2 senior Papillion-LaVista High School for Coach Jeff Kupfer. Vacanti Brand Open on Nov. 18. season and the state championship at 152 pounds. A four- wrestled to a 128-1 career record for the Monarchs and was Ward went 3-2 at the Harold Nichols Open on Nov. 11, time state fi nalist, Sanders fi nished his high school career ranked third among the nation’s 140-pounders by InterMat. running off three straight wins in the consolation bracket after with a 166-11 record. In his 35-0 junior season, Vacanti pinned all 35 opponents a fi rst-round loss. He went 5-3 at the Kaufman-Brand Open he faced. Vacanti was named the 2006 Dave Schultz Award one week later. Personal winner for the state of Nebraska. Before Nebraska-Ward was a member of three state The son of Robert and Leslie Sanders, Paul was born on championship teams at Mt. St. Joseph’s Prep for Coach Kirk Feb. 12, 1988. He has one sister, Jennifer, and one brother, Personal Salvo. With a career record of 130-36, Ward closed his high Robert, who is a senior on the Nebraska wrestling team. Paul The son of Chris and Lisa Vacanti, Matt was born in school as a co-captain and state champion in his senior year is a computer science major at Nebraska. Omaha, Neb., on Sept. 1, 1988. He has one brother, Ryan with a 45-7 record. Mt. St. Joseph’s placed second as a team Year-by-Year and fi ve sisters, Corey, Brooke, Katie, Lacey and Jacey. He is a at state. Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD sociology major at Nebraska. 06-07* 3-8 0-0 0 0 0 Year-by-Year Personal 07-08 8-11 0-0 1 0 1 Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD The son of Kelly and Tammy Ward, Alex was born Oct. 1, Career 8-11 0-0 1 0 1 06-07* 17-2 0-0 5 0 1 1987, in Des Moines, Iowa. His father, Kelly, was a national *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals. 07-08 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 champion at Iowa State in 1979 and a former Nebraska Career 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 assistant coach. Alex has one brother, Ben. Alex is a *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals. communication studies major at Nebraska. Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 06-07* 16-11 0-0 3 1 3 07-08 15-11 0-1 2 1 1 Career 15-11 0-1 2 1 1 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals.

HUSKERS.COM 51 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

C hhrisris T uuckercker B rrianian H aackercker L aanene L iitchtch

157 lbs. z RFr. Hwt z RFr. 141 lbs. z RFr. El Reno, Okla. (El Reno) Redvale, Colo. (Nucla) Wayzata, Minn. (Wayzata) 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook After redshirting his fi rst year in the Nebraska program, With the graduation of Jon May, Tucker Lane steps into the Showing improvement from week to week last season, Chris Hacker could see a majority of the dual time at 157 starting spot at heavyweight for Nebraska this season. Lane Brian Litch looks to continue that development this year. 2008-09 HUSKERS pounds for the Huskers this season. will try to build on a highly succesful redshirt year. Career Notes Career Notes Career Notes 2008-Litch earned a 7-7 mark in three open tournaments 2008-Hacker notched a 15-5 record in open competitions 2008-Lane capped a standout redshirt season at during his redshirt season at 133. Litch opened with a 1-2 in his redshirt season at 149. Hacker opened the campaign heavyweight with 2008 NU Redshirt-of-the-Year honors after effort at the Dana Open on Jan. 5, but notched his best with two straight pins at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 10. He went his 27-3 campaign. performance of the season a week later at the Hastings Open, on to fi nish second at the Cowboy Open and the Kaufman- Competing in seven open tournaments, Lane laid claim to where he placed fi fth with a 2-2 mark. Brand Open, as he started the season with an 8-2 record. Four four titles, one second place and two third-place fi nishes. His Litch ended the season with a sixth-place fi nish behind a of his fi rst eight wins were bonus-point conquests, including seven pins placed him second on the team and paced him to 4-3 performance at the Brand Open on Jan. 19. He collected three pins. Hacker notched the second-fastest pin by a Husker fi rst at the Cowboy Open, Kaufman-Brand Open, Bob Smith his two major decisions of the year with a 14-1 win over during the season with his fall of Nick LeClere in 26 seconds. Open and Dana Open. Wyoming’s Tim Baumel and a 13-4 victory over Air Force’s Tyler Hacker notched a 5-2 record to place fourth at the Dana Despite fi nishing fi rst at more than half of his competitions, Untrauer. Open on Jan. 5. He was well on his way to another top fi nish the highlight of Lane’s season came during his third-place Before Nebraska-Litch’s high school achievements before a minor injury forced him to forfeit his fi nal two matches fi nish at the Brand Open on Jan. 19. Lane suffered a 4-2 included a third-place state fi nish his senior year at Wayzata of the season at the Brand Open on Jan. 19. Hacker fi nished overtime loss to open the tournament, but rebounded with High School and qualifying for the state tournament twice. He the season with six pins and one technical fall. fi ve straight dominating victories. Lane pinned two of those helped his team to a fi fth-place team fi nish. Litch was one of Before Nebraska-A four-time Cadet All-American and opponents, notched a 13-0 major decision, won a 6-0 decision two products of Wayzata, Minn., to join the Huskers in 2007- two-time Junior All-American, Hacker joined the Huskers with and came out on top of a 6-3 contest. Lane allowed just three 08. Litch competed for Coach Ross Johnson during his prep an impressive resume at both the state and national levels. points in all fi ve matches. career. Before Nebraska-Lane was a three-time state champion Hacker twice captured the Oklahoma Class 4A championships Personal at 152 pounds, and was the No. 3 152-pounder nationally at Nucla High School under the direction of Coach Larry Lane. He also was a four-time Junior All-American, and was The son of Mike and Karla Litch, Brian was born on July according to Wrestling USA. He was the No. 53 high school 25, 1989. He has one sister, Kalena. Brian has not declared a wrestler in the nation, according to Intermat. recognized by Intermat as a four-star recruit. Lane was also accomplished in the classroom. He earned a 31 on his ACT major at Nebraska. and graduated as the valedictorian of his class with a 4.25 Year-by-Year Personal grade-point average. The son of Rick and Carole Hacker, Chris was born on Feb. Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 2, 1989. He has one sister, Ashley. Chris is a psychology major Personal 07-08* 7-7 0-0 0 0 2 at Nebraska. The son of Larry and Gwen Lane, Tucker was born on June Career 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals. 4, 1988. He has one sister, Mollie, and one brother, Stryker. Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD Tucker is a communication studies major at Nebraska. Larry 07-08* 15-5 0-0 6 1 0 Lane wrestled collegiately at the University of Northern Career 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Colorado and was on the All-Army wrestling team. Larry went *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals. on to wrestle professionally from 1973 to 1983 as “Red Dog Lane” and “Cowboy Larry Lane”. Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 07-08* 27-3 0-0 7 0 3 Career 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals.

52 HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

A nndydy M aatttt A uustinstin P ookornykorny A sshtonhton B aarnesrnes 2008-09 HUSKERS 125 lbs. z RFr. 133 lbs. z Fr. 141 lbs. z Fr. Bennington, Neb. Eagan, Minn. (Eagan) Rockwall, Texas (Rockwall) (Bennington) 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook Matt Ashton is expected to redshirt his freshman year and Austin Barnes is the fi rst Husker wrestler to hail from 2008-09 Outlook provide depth at 133 pounds for the Huskers. Texas since 1984-85, and he will likely redshirt his fi rst year in Andy Pokorny fought through medical issues to post the Nebraska program. several impressive open tournament victories last season and Career Notes is now a front-runner for the starting spot at 125 pounds. A Before Nebraska-Ashton fi nished his high school career a Career Notes highly touted recruit out of high school, Pokorny brings a high two-time all-state honoree under Coach Chad Gage at Class Before Nebraska-Barnes attended Class 5A Rockwall level of energy to the mat. 3A Eagan. Ashton’s top fi nish came in his junior year, when High School where he helped Coach Brent Pohorsky to three he earned second place at 112 pounds at state with a 38-7 top-10 team fi nishes at the state championships. Barnes was Career Notes record. He also went 44-11 during his sophomore campaign to a three-time district champion and went on to win the region 2008-Pokorny’s redshirt campaign got off to a rough start take fi fth at 103 pounds. Ashton was also voted a three-time and fi nish third in the state his senior year. Wrestling at 135 as he sat out the fall semester with heart problems. Returning all-conference selection. pounds, Barnes scored 16 points to earn his fi rst all-state in January, Pokorny wrestled to a 9-1 mark in two open honor and lead Rockwall to a ninth-place team fi nish. tournaments at 125 pounds. Personal Barnes was also active in club wrestling with Team Pokorny fi nished third with a 5-1 performance at the Dana The son of Dave and Kelly Ashton, Matt was born Aug. 24, Rockwall. He won several state titles in freestyle and Greco- Open on Jan. 5, including a 9-0 major decision over Dana’s 1990. He has one sister, Paige. He has not declared a major at Roman wrestling. Off the mat, Barnes was a four-time honor Kevin Gray. Nebraska. roll selection. Pokorny claimed the title with four straight victories at the Brand Open on Jan. 19. Pokorny opened the tournament with Personal three bonus-point wins, including a technical fall, pin and The son of Scott and Joan Barnes, Austin was born Jan. major decision on his way to fi rst place. 21, 1990. He has one sister, Amanda, and one brother, Hunter. Before Nebraska-Pokorny was a three-time state Austin is a business administration major at Nebraska. champion, winning the 2007 Class C crown at 125 pounds after winning at 112 pounds in 2006 and 103 in 2005. A 2006 Junior Freestyle All-American, Pokorny was the fourth-ranked 112-pound wrestler in the nation by Wrestling USA, and was the No. 52 high school wrestler overall by Intermat. Off the mat, he graduated with a 4.0 GPA and scored 33 on his ACT. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. Personal The son of Alan and Renee Pokorny, Andy was born on June 3, 1989. He has one sister, Kristin, and two brothers, Craig and Josh. Andy is a psychology major at Nebraska. Year-by-Year Year Overall Dual Pins TF MD 07-08* 9-1 0-0 1 1 2 Career 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 *-Redshirt Season does not count in career totals.

HUSKERS.COM 53 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

J oonn H aadleydley R oomeromero B uurnsrns Coooksleyoksley C oottontton 141 lbs. z Fr. Hwt z Fr. 184 lbs. z Fr. Apex, N.C. (Cardinal Gibbons) Alda, Neb. Hutchinson, Kan. 2008-09 Outlook (Grand Island Northwest) (Hutchinson) One of the top three high school wrestlers in the nation at 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook 145 pounds, Jon Burns comes to Lincoln with an outstanding Hadley Cooksley, an outstanding all-around athlete, will Romero Cotton will likely redshirt his fi rst year in the resume. Burns could be a contender for a starting spot at 141 redshirt his fi rst year at Nebraska. Nebraska program, wrestling behind NCAA-qualifi er Vince pounds this season. Jones and Levi Wofford at 184 pounds. 2008-09 HUSKERS Career Notes Career Notes Before Nebraska-Cooksley was a three-sport standout for Career Notes Before Nebraska-Burns joins the Huskers after a standout Class B Grand Island Northwest. He earned 12 total letters Before Nebraska-Cotton was a 10-time state champion high school career. In his freshman year at Cary High School, in football, wrestling and track and fi eld. Under Coach Brian for Class 6A Hutchinson High School. Wrestling for Coach he fi nished third at the state tournament and took home the Sybrandts, Cooksley amassed a 118-17 record on the mat, Mike Garcia, he claimed four state titles with a 137-11 career 140-pound title in the Jim King/Orange Invitational. Burns sat including 89 pins. Wrestling at 215 pounds, he earned fi fth- record, rolling to a 72-0 record over his fi nal two seasons. out his sophomore year after transferring to Cardinal Gibbons place at state his sophomore year and followed up with third Cotton added four more championships from his running back High School, but rebounded with two phenomenal seasons. In his junior year. Cooksley won all of his matches during his position in football and was a two-time power lifting state his junior year, Burns fi nished with a 65-0 season and won senior campaign by fall until losing in the state fi nals, as he champion. He was voted an all-state selection four times in the state championship before capping his year by winning notched a 33-1 record at heavyweight. He was also selected to wrestling and twice in football. the 140-pound title at the National High School Coaches the All-Star Classic. He was the 2006 Cadet National champion in freestyle and Association Wrestling Championships. On the football fi eld, Cooksley was an honorable-mention Greco-Roman and earned the No. 7 national ranking at 189 His senior year was just as impressive, as he notched all-state selection twice from his lineman position. He was pounds according to InterMat. a 63-0 record and won his second consecutive state title. also selected to the Shrine Bowl his senior year. Cooksley Personal He followed with a win in the 145-pound division of the placed fi fth at state in the shot put his junior year, but The son of James Cotton, Romero was born March 6, 1990, prestigious Ironman tournament and was named the wrestler rebounded to win the title last year. in Hutchinson, Kan. He has one brother, Jamon. Romero has of the year by the National High School Coaches Association. In the classroom, he was a fi ve-time academic all-state not declared a major at Nebraska. The NHSCA also selected him as a two-time All-American. selection and was a member of the National Honor Society. Burns ended with a 178-5 career mark in high school, including 128-0 in his fi nal two years. He was ranked No. 3 at Personal 145 pounds by InterMat. The son of Kerry and Terry Cooksley, Hadley was born In the classroom, he was a member of National Honor Nov. 15, 1989, in Broken Bow, Neb. Hadley has two brothers, Society and was named to the honor roll three of his fi nal four Quentin and Aaron, and one sister, Audra. Hadley is a pre-med semesters. major at Nebraska. Personal The son of Albert and Billie Burns, Jon was born on May 28, 1990, in Harvey, N.C. He has three brothers, Mark, Tim and Chris and one sister, Marguerite. Jon has not declared a major at Nebraska.

54 HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

R omero R iileyley R oossss J ooshsh C otton E sssaysay G rrandeande I hhnennen 184 lbs. z Fr. 2008-09 HUSKERS 133 lbs z Fr. 149 lbs. z Fr. Sheldon, Iowa (Sheldon) Alliance, Neb. (Alliance) Palatine, Ill. (Palatine) 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook Ross Grande (pronounced Gran-dee), a high school A top-10 recruit at 189 pounds according to InterMat, Josh Riley Essay (prounounced E-See) plans to redshirt at 133 teammate of fellow Husker Peter Roto, will redshirt his fi rst Ihnen (pronounced E-nen) is likely to redshirt his freshman pounds during the 2008-09 season at Nebraska. year at Nebraska. year at Nebraska, wrestling behind senior Vince Jones at 184 pounds. Career Notes Career Notes Before Nebraska-One of the top recruits in the state, Before Nebraska-Grande was a four-time all-conference Career Notes Essay fi nished in the top fi ve at the state championships all wrestler under Coach Dan Collins at Class 2A Palatine High Before Nebraska-Ihnen was a standout performer for four years at Alliance High School. Essay, wrestling under School. Grande’s 128 career victories broke the school record. Coach Steve Fischer on and off the mat at Sheldon High School. Coach Dale Hall, fi nished fourth his freshman year, fi fth Grande racked up a 43-5 senior season in which he was voted Ihnen was a four-time state qualifi er and set Sheldon’s career his sophomore year and took third as a junior and senior. conference wrestler of the year and fi nished in the top eight in wins mark with a 156-11 record. He was 93-1 his fi nal two He fi nished with a 134-21 career record, including an 80-5 the state. In the classroom, he was named to the honor roll for years, fi nishing fi rst and second at the state championships combined mark his last two seasons. He also established seven semesters. in his junior and senior seasons. the single-season nearfall record with 134 during his senior In the classroom, Ihnen earned a 3.99 grade-point average season. Essay helped Alliance to three top 10 fi nishes at the Personal and was named to the honor roll all four years. He earned a 30 state championships during his four years. The son of Ralph and Maggie Grande, Ross was born on on his ACT and was a member of National Honor Society. He July 3, 1990, in Evanston, Ill. He has two sisters, Angie and Personal was a two-time fi rst-team selection to the academic all-state Theresa. Ross is a nutritional science and dietetics major at wrestling squad. The son of Ralph and Mitzi Essay, Riley was born on April Nebraska. 6, 1990, in Scottsbluff, Neb. He has one sister, Kala. Riley has A three-sport athlete, Ihnen also earned six letters in not declared a major at Nebraska. football and track and fi eld in high school. He was a three- year starter at linebacker, helping Sheldon to a 12-1 record his sophomore year and an appearance in the state fi nals. He was named to the all-district fi rst team twice for football and was also named the Siouxland Male Athlete of the Year by the Sioux City Journal. Ihnen was ranked No. 10 nationally at 189 pounds by InterMat. Personal The son of Gary and Donna Ihnen, Josh was born on Sept. 7, 1989. He has two sisters, Rachel and Elizabeth, and one brother, Jacob. Josh is a fi nance major at Nebraska.

HUSKERS.COM 55 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

R iidgedge T yylerler Liivingstonvingston K iileyley K ooehnehn L uukowkow 125 lbs. z Fr. 157 lbs. z Fr. 197 lbs z Fr. Eagle Grove, Iowa Pittsburg, Kan. (Pittsburg) Lincoln, Neb. (Eagle Grove) 2008-09 Outlook (Lincoln Christian) A fi ve-time All-American in high school, Tyler Koehn 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook (pronounced Cane) looks to build on that success in the A member of the Armed Forces, Livingston Lukow Ridge Kiley was the last addition to the 2008-09 recruiting Husker program. Koehn will redshirt his freshman year. (pronounced Loo-ko) returns to Lincoln after receiving training class, but could prove to be one of the most valuable. He will as a Marine reserve. Wrestling behind All-American Craig 2008-09 HUSKERS redshirt his fi rst season for the Huskers. Career Notes Brester at 197 pounds, Lukow will redshirt his fi rst year in the Before Nebraska-Koehn fi nished in the top three at the NU program. Career Notes Kansas state tournament his fi nal three seasons for Coach Before Nebraska-A two-time state fi nalist, Kiley racked up Scott Rieck and Pittsburg High School. A four-time state Career Notes a 153-25 career record for Dave Morgan and Darin Schreck qualifi er, Koehn did not place his freshman year at 119 Before Nebraska-Lukow was a three-sport athlete for at Eagle Grove High School. Kiley claimed second and third pounds, but earned third as a sophomore with a 41-2 record Class C Lincoln Christian High School. He earned four letters his freshman and sophomore years while helping the team to at 135. He collected 26 pins his junior year while rolling to for Coach Tim Negley on the mat and claimed third place third-place fi nishes at the state championships both seasons. a perfect 38-0 record and a state championship at 152. He at 171 pounds at the state championships his senior year. Kiley capped his high school career with a 37-1 record and a capped his high school career with a second-place fi nish at Livingston was also a three-year starter at tight end on the state title at 112 pounds his senior year. He was a two-time 171 pounds after a 34-3 season. Koehn fi nished with a 147-15 football team. He was named a team captain his senior all-state honoree. career record and was a three-time all-area pick and a four- year. He also participated in track and fi eld during his senior Kiley earned two All-America selections with his third-place time all-conference selection. season. fi nish in Greco-Roman and fourth-place fi nish in freestyle at Koehn was a fi ve-time All-American at the Junior National Lukow took a year off after high school to enlist as a 98 pounds at the 2006 Junior National Championships in Championships in Fargo, N.D. He claimed fi fth in Greco- Marine reserve. He took basic training in San Diego, before Fargo, N.D. Roman and seventh in freestyle at 140 pounds in 2006. He receiving specialized training as a generator mechanic in In the classroom, Kiley was on the honor roll all four years moved up to 160 in 2007 to claim eighth in freestyle, before North Carolina. of his high school career. earning fourth in Greco-Roman and seventh in freestyle in Personal Personal 2008. The son of Stan and Bobbi Lukow, Livingston was born Dec. The son of Ernie and Ladawn Kiley, Ridge was born Dec. 14, Koehn also spent all four years on the honor roll at Pittsburg 20, 1988, in Lincoln. He has two brothers, Reed and Sheldon. 1989, in Ames, Iowa. He has one brother, Garett. Ridge has not High School. Livingston is a business administration major at Nebraska. declared a major at Nebraska. Personal The son of Dan and Cheryl Koehn, Tyler was born on June 13, 1990. He has two brothers, Derek and Brent, and one sister, Cori. Tyler has not declared a major at Nebraska.

56 HUSKERS.COM 2008-09 NEBRASKA WRESTLING

Livingston E rricic E tthanhan A llexex L ukow R eeinertinert Sttudebakerudebaker T hhomasomas 2008-09 HUSKERS 165 lbs. z Fr. 157 lbs. z Fr. 285 lbs. z Fr. Watertown, Minn. Raymond, Neb. McDonald, Kan. (Norton) (Watertown-Mayer) (Raymond Central) 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook 2008-09 Outlook One of two heavyweight recruits to join the Huskers in Eric Reinert is expected to redshirt at 165 pounds during Wrestling at 157 pounds, Ethan Studebaker will likely 2008-09, Alex Thomas plans to redshirt his fi rst year in the the 2008-09 season. redshirt his fi rst season in the Husker program. Nebraska program. Career Notes Career Notes Career Notes Before Nebraska-Reinert was a three-time all-state Before Nebraska-Studebaker claimed three top-fi ve Before Nebraska-Thomas was home schooled his fi rst two selection for Coach Joe Traen at Watertown-Mayer High School. fi nishes at the state tournament wrestling for Coach Herold two years of high school, but was a two-year letterwinner in Reinert accumulated a 194-34 career record and qualifi ed for Pester at Class C Raymond Central High School. A four-time wrestling and football at Norton High School his junior and the state championships all four years. He fi nished second his conference and two-time district champion, Studebaker senior years. Wrestling for Bill Johnson, Thomas took third at sophomore year, earned third his junior year and claimed the tallied a 142-19 record to earn the career wins record at the state championships during his junior campaign after a title with a 41-3 record as a senior. He also led the team to a Raymond Central. He posted back-to-back 33-8 seasons to 30-1 season. He racked up 26 pins while helping his team to runner-up fi nish in its section. Reinert closed his career as a begin his high school career, including a fourth-place fi nish a third-place team fi nish. four-time all-conference honoree. at the state tournament his freshman year. He rolled to a 34-2 Thomas looked to be on his way to another standout year Reinert also participated in football and baseball during mark and fi fth-place fi nish during his junior campaign before with a 28-1 record during his senior season, but a knee injury high school. He was a two-year starter at running back and notching a 42-1 record and claiming the state championship at the regional tournament sidelined him. Norton went on to linebacker, while playing third base and pitching for the his senior season. He was voted Raymond Central’s most fi nish fourth at the state tournament, as Thomas helped the baseball team. He was an all-conference selection on the valuable wrestler twice. squad claim two district and league championships. diamond his senior year. In the classroom, he was a four-time academic all-state Thomas was also a two-time state champion in Greco- selection while being named to the honor roll all four years. Roman club wrestling, and fi nished runner-up in freestyle Personal He was also a four-time letterwinner while competing in twice. The son of Greg and Linda Reinert, Eric was born May 28, cross country. Thomas played on the defensive line for football coach 1989, in Waconia, Minn. He has two sisters, Holly and Lily, Lucas Melvin at Norton. and one brother, Joe. Eric is a nutritional science and dietetics Personal major at Nebraska. The son of Robert and Becky Studebaker, Ethan was born Personal on March 7, 1990. He has two sisters, Dawn and Sierra, and The son of Dan and Pam Thomas, Alex was born April 17, one brother, Aaron. Ethan is a pre-physician’s assistant major 1989, in Denver, Colo. He has one brother, Ward. Alex is a pre- at Nebraska. veterinary medicine major at Nebraska.

HUSKERS.COM 57 Members of the Husker Wrestling Booster Club not only support Nebraska wrestlers as they strive for excellence in all areas of life, they also receive 2008 Husker Wrestling Booster Club Members (as of Oct. 24, 2008): free Husker memorabilia, invitations to special member-only events, like post-dual gatherings, and ticket and hotel opportunities for the Big 12 Derek & Judith Andersen Gordon Lundy Championships and NCAA Championships. Tim and Joni Baier Craig Manning Amy Sharp Baxter Charles Marks Beecher Inc. Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dr. Ben Martin By supporting the nationally-competitive Nebraska wrestling Jerry, Stacy, Jordan & Hannah Bell John & Janet McGary program, booster club members can receive newsletters, posters, Bellevue Jr. Sports Association Daniel & Traci McKeon media guides and discounts on other Nebraska items like t- Ken Benton Norman & Joan Miers shirts, sweaters and more. Brent & Mary Boerkircher Tim & Lisa Miers Dale & Wendy Bonge Raymond K. Moore Membership Benefi ts: Daryl Boots Jerry Munson In-Season Weekly Email Updates Bryan Choutka John R. Musgrave Newsletter from Head Coach Mark Manning and his staff John & Peggy Christensen Marshall & Connie Nelson Posters, Media Guides and Schedule Cards Rex Christensen Neil S. Norton Discount Cards on Nebraska Merchandise Scott Coolidge John P. O’Brien Invitation to Members-Only Events Howard P. Doerr Tracy Olnhausen Ticket Opportunities for the Big 12 and NCAA Championships Kelly Downing Scott Barnes Stephen Dwyer Alan & Renee Pokorny Erickson Advanced Chiropractic Center, P.C. George Rambour IV Membership Levels: Phil & Sheryl Fenton Brett Ray Level Phil Fenton Dr. Herbert E. Reese Amount Four R Cattle Company Dan & Vicki Reinke Benefi ts Joe & Sharon Garcia Patrick Rice Richard & Kathleen Gilloon John & Tammy Rogokos & Family Shannon Gocke Charles H. Roper Level 1 Fred Gottshall Alan M. Rosen $50 Ralph Grande Mike Ryan Newsletter, Poster, $5 Discount Card Jon Habben David W. Scheffl er Fred & Bobbi Hall Martin Scherzberg Level 2 John Hallgren Chip Simonsen $125 Monty Halstead Terry & Jane Sindelar Newsletter, Poster, Media Guide, $12.50 Discount Card Douglas & Joann Harkins Steve Slowey Dennis & Christi Henrichs Matt Spanjers Jerry Hensley Paul Stavropoulos Level 3 Mike & Linda Hill Dean Stokebrand $250 Trevor & Andrea Hill Bob Suga Newsletter, Poster, Media Guide, $25 Discount Card Kevin & Tierni Hough Charles Sundermeier Huskerland Wrestling Wes & Deb Tonniges Level 4 Kent G. Johnson Torin Products Inc. $500+ Mark & Diane Johnson Maureen & Rick Vanderhoff Newsletter, Poster, Media Guide, $50 Discount Card Richard A. Johnson Gregory Voss Tami Kaschke Lt. Col. S. Kent Walton, Jr. David & Kathy Kastl Joe Warren Edwin Lane Bus & Jeannie Whitehead Larry & Gwen Lane Harold Dale Williams Mike & Karla Litch Doyle & Dottie Wolverton David G. Loos Alan Woofter For more information on the Marlen R. Luff Nebraska Wrestling Booster Club go to Huskerwrestling.com or contact: President Tim Miers (402) 680-1970 NEBRASKA