No. 1 Nebraska-Omaha beats No. 2 Augustana, 22-9, before record crowd in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Share:
by UNO Sports
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The No. 1 UNO wrestling team won the anticipated showdown between the top two teams in the nation handily on Wednesday night with a 22-9 victory over No. 2 Augustana in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Mavericks finished the regular season with a 12-1 dual record, while the Vikings finished 14-2 with both losses coming at the hands of the nation's top team. UNO beat Augustana at the NWCA National Duals in November, 17-15.
According to Augustana Sports Information, the bout was held in front of a record crowd of 2,003.
The dual got off to a good start for Augustana, as No. 3 Jason Jeremiason decisioned Trent Cox 7-3 to get the Vikings on the board first at 133 pounds.
At 141 pounds, in a rematch of last year's national championship, No. 1 Mario Morgan knocked off No. 4 Jay Sherer 5-4 to even up the team score at 3-3. Morgan has now beaten Shearer four out of five times in his career and twice this season.
No. 1 Esai Dominguez then avenged a loss to No. 5 Nate Herda earlier this season with a 3-2 decision at 149 pounds. Dominguez escaped five seconds into the third period to account for the winning point.
No. 1 George Ivanov extended the Mavs' lead in the team score to 9-3 after a 4-3 decision over No. 3 Marcus Edgington. Edgington had defeated Ivanov earlier this year 5-3 at the Daktronics Open, but Ivanov never trailed in this match.
No. 4 Gavin Nelson got Augie back in the dual with a 6-3 decision over Nathan Sigman at 165 pounds. Nelson earned a takedown at the last second of the match and added the riding time bonus point for the final margin.
No. 3 Ryan Pankoke continued his dominance of late at 174 pounds with a 3-1 win over No. 7 Carl Serck, who he earned an 11-1 major decision win against at the NWCA National Duals in November. Pankoke has now won 26 straight matches.
No. 3 Aaron Denson added the only bonus points of the night for either team with a 12-3 major decision over Augustana's Tom Davies at 184 pounds. Denson's win gave the Mavs a 16-6 lead heading into the final three weights.
Augustana drew within 16-9 after No. 2 Ty Copsey beat No. 4 Matt Baker 3-1, with a takedown 37 seconds into overtime.
Taylor Escamilla sealed the win for UNO, though, with a 5-0 decision over heavyweight Lance Peters, who Escamilla is now 3-0 against all-time.
With the win assured, UNO's true freshman Josh Keszler ended the night in spectacular fashion with a come-from-behind 4-2 sudden victory win over Augustana senior Al Meger at 125 pounds. Keszler earned a takedown with 49 seconds left in the third period to tie the match, then got another takedown 18 seconds into overtime. Keszler's win gave him a 22-9 record this year and gave the Mavs the 22-9 victory.
The Mavericks now begin their quest for a third straight national championship next Fri.-Sat., Feb. 25-26 at the Midwest Regional Championships in Findlay, Ohio.
Nebraska-Omaha 22, Augustana 9
133: Jason Jeremiason (Augie) dec.Trent Cox (UNO), 7-3
141: Mario Morgan (UNO) dec. Jay Sherer (Augie), 5-4
149: Esai Dominguez (UNO) dec. Nate Herda (Augie), 3-2
157: George Ivanov (UNO) dec. Marcus Edgington (Augie), 4-3
165: Gavin Nelson (Augie) dec. Nathan Sigman (UNO), 6-3
174: Ryan Pankoke (UNO) dec. Carl Serck (Augie), 3-1
184: Aaron Denson (UNO) major dec. Tom Davies (Augie), 12-3
197: Ty Copsey (Augie) dec. Matt Baker (UNO), 3-1 (SV1)
285: Taylor Escamilla (UNO) dec. Lance Peters (Augie), 5-0
125: Josh Keszler (UNO) dec. Al Meger (Augie), 4-2 (SV1)
The Mavericks finished the regular season with a 12-1 dual record, while the Vikings finished 14-2 with both losses coming at the hands of the nation's top team. UNO beat Augustana at the NWCA National Duals in November, 17-15.
According to Augustana Sports Information, the bout was held in front of a record crowd of 2,003.
The dual got off to a good start for Augustana, as No. 3 Jason Jeremiason decisioned Trent Cox 7-3 to get the Vikings on the board first at 133 pounds.
At 141 pounds, in a rematch of last year's national championship, No. 1 Mario Morgan knocked off No. 4 Jay Sherer 5-4 to even up the team score at 3-3. Morgan has now beaten Shearer four out of five times in his career and twice this season.
No. 1 Esai Dominguez then avenged a loss to No. 5 Nate Herda earlier this season with a 3-2 decision at 149 pounds. Dominguez escaped five seconds into the third period to account for the winning point.
No. 1 George Ivanov extended the Mavs' lead in the team score to 9-3 after a 4-3 decision over No. 3 Marcus Edgington. Edgington had defeated Ivanov earlier this year 5-3 at the Daktronics Open, but Ivanov never trailed in this match.
No. 4 Gavin Nelson got Augie back in the dual with a 6-3 decision over Nathan Sigman at 165 pounds. Nelson earned a takedown at the last second of the match and added the riding time bonus point for the final margin.
No. 3 Ryan Pankoke continued his dominance of late at 174 pounds with a 3-1 win over No. 7 Carl Serck, who he earned an 11-1 major decision win against at the NWCA National Duals in November. Pankoke has now won 26 straight matches.
No. 3 Aaron Denson added the only bonus points of the night for either team with a 12-3 major decision over Augustana's Tom Davies at 184 pounds. Denson's win gave the Mavs a 16-6 lead heading into the final three weights.
Augustana drew within 16-9 after No. 2 Ty Copsey beat No. 4 Matt Baker 3-1, with a takedown 37 seconds into overtime.
Taylor Escamilla sealed the win for UNO, though, with a 5-0 decision over heavyweight Lance Peters, who Escamilla is now 3-0 against all-time.
With the win assured, UNO's true freshman Josh Keszler ended the night in spectacular fashion with a come-from-behind 4-2 sudden victory win over Augustana senior Al Meger at 125 pounds. Keszler earned a takedown with 49 seconds left in the third period to tie the match, then got another takedown 18 seconds into overtime. Keszler's win gave him a 22-9 record this year and gave the Mavs the 22-9 victory.
The Mavericks now begin their quest for a third straight national championship next Fri.-Sat., Feb. 25-26 at the Midwest Regional Championships in Findlay, Ohio.
Nebraska-Omaha 22, Augustana 9
133: Jason Jeremiason (Augie) dec.Trent Cox (UNO), 7-3
141: Mario Morgan (UNO) dec. Jay Sherer (Augie), 5-4
149: Esai Dominguez (UNO) dec. Nate Herda (Augie), 3-2
157: George Ivanov (UNO) dec. Marcus Edgington (Augie), 4-3
165: Gavin Nelson (Augie) dec. Nathan Sigman (UNO), 6-3
174: Ryan Pankoke (UNO) dec. Carl Serck (Augie), 3-1
184: Aaron Denson (UNO) major dec. Tom Davies (Augie), 12-3
197: Ty Copsey (Augie) dec. Matt Baker (UNO), 3-1 (SV1)
285: Taylor Escamilla (UNO) dec. Lance Peters (Augie), 5-0
125: Josh Keszler (UNO) dec. Al Meger (Augie), 4-2 (SV1)
Read More#
12 Senior National Team berths determined at True-Third Place Matches prior to Final X
The Hall of Fame’s Presentation of Plaques is all about family and friends celebrating wrestling excellence
PIN ratings in both styles announced for loaded U20 World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio, May 30-June 1
Lehigh adds Women's Wrestling as 26th varsity sport, with competition to begin in 2025–26
