Green, Kokesh lift No. 7 Nebraska to victory at No. 21 Wyoming
Share:
by Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
Nebraska's James Green, shown last season, won by fall over Wyoming on Friday night. USAW file photo.
LARAMIE, Wyo. – Nebraska’s James Green can score in the blink of an eye.
The explosive Husker proved exactly that when he fired in on a leg shot, locked up a cradle and recorded a fall to finish off Wyoming’s Archie Colgan at 157 pounds.
The three-time All-American was one of six winners for No. 7 Nebraska as it downed No. 21 Wyoming 22-13 before a packed house of 1,447 fans Friday afternoon at the Wyoming Indoor Football Complex.
“James looked real good out there – he’s made a lot of improvements since last season,” Nebraska coach Mark Manning said. “As a team, a lot of our guys showed good fight and gained some momentum they can use going into tomorrow. There were a lot of nerves going into that dual because we have some guys who haven’t wrestled for us and got that first taste of it today. There were some good things and some bad things. We have plenty to work on, but it was a good start for us.”
Green, ranked second nationally, has placed seventh, seventh and third in previous trips to the NCAA tournament.
Green won a silver medal for the U.S. at the University World Championships this past summer and placed second at the U.S. Senior World Team Trials in freestyle.
Green is lethal on his feet, but he’s also become more adept at putting opponents on their back.
“I saw an opportunity and I took it,” Green said of his match-ending move. “It was good to get a pin for the team and I’m looking to do more of that this season. I’ve become a lot better on top and that just adds to my repertoire.
“It’s real exciting to get the season going and wrestle alongside my teammates. We worked real hard in the preseason and it was great to get back out there. Wrestling freestyle has helped me a lot. I’m going to try and bring it every match like I always have, and just take it one step at a time.”
Fellow Husker senior Robert Kokesh, ranked second, came back to down unranked Andy McCulley 5-2 at 174. Kokesh has placed third and fourth at NCAAs the past two seasons.
Kokesh is back wrestling again after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee at March’s NCAA tournament.
“I got taken down in the first minute, but I stayed composed and stayed confident in my wrestling,” Kokesh said. “Hopefully, I will get to see him again tomorrow.”
Nebraska also received wins from Collin Jensen (285), Eric Montoya (133), Anthony Abidin (141) and Austin Wilson (165).
No. 16 Benjamin Stroh of Wyoming started strong en route to a 15-6 win over No. 12 T.J. Dudley of Nebraska at 184.
All-American Tyler Cox of Wyoming finished strong in a 7-4 win over NU national qualifier Tim Lambert at 125. Teammate Jake Elliott used a late takedown to clinch a 5-3 win over NCAA qualifier James Arthur at 149. Wyoming’s Shane Woods won the final match at 197.
“I was disappointed with some of our demeanor in matches,” Wyoming coach Mark Branch said. “I was disappointed with how we wrestled on bottom. That’s not a technique thing. To kind of just lay there on bottom … it’s gut-check time for our guys to understand that’s not how we wrestle here.”
Both teams will compete at the Cowboy Open on Saturday at the University of Wyoming. Wrestling is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. in Laramie.
Nebraska 22, Wyoming 13
285 – Collin Jensen (Nebraska) dec. Leland Pfeifer, 6-1. 125 – Tyler Cox (Wyoming) dec. Tim Lambert, 7-4. 133 – Eric Montoya (Nebraska) dec. Drew Templeman, 9-3. 141 – Anthony Abidin (Nebraska) dec. Cole Mendenhall, 14-2. 149 – Jake Elliott (Wyoming) dec. James Arthur (Nebraska), 5-3. 157 – James Green (Nebraska) pinned Archie Colgan, 5:17. 165 – Austin Wilson (Nebraska) dec. Dakota Friesth, 5-2. 174 – Robert Kokesh (Nebraska) dec. Andy McCulley, 5-2. 184 – Benjamin Stroh (Wyoming) dec. T.J. Dudley, 15-6. 197 – Shane Woods (Wyoming) dec. Micah Barnes, 3-2.
LARAMIE, Wyo. – Nebraska’s James Green can score in the blink of an eye.
The explosive Husker proved exactly that when he fired in on a leg shot, locked up a cradle and recorded a fall to finish off Wyoming’s Archie Colgan at 157 pounds.
The three-time All-American was one of six winners for No. 7 Nebraska as it downed No. 21 Wyoming 22-13 before a packed house of 1,447 fans Friday afternoon at the Wyoming Indoor Football Complex.
“James looked real good out there – he’s made a lot of improvements since last season,” Nebraska coach Mark Manning said. “As a team, a lot of our guys showed good fight and gained some momentum they can use going into tomorrow. There were a lot of nerves going into that dual because we have some guys who haven’t wrestled for us and got that first taste of it today. There were some good things and some bad things. We have plenty to work on, but it was a good start for us.”
Green, ranked second nationally, has placed seventh, seventh and third in previous trips to the NCAA tournament.
Green won a silver medal for the U.S. at the University World Championships this past summer and placed second at the U.S. Senior World Team Trials in freestyle.
Green is lethal on his feet, but he’s also become more adept at putting opponents on their back.
“I saw an opportunity and I took it,” Green said of his match-ending move. “It was good to get a pin for the team and I’m looking to do more of that this season. I’ve become a lot better on top and that just adds to my repertoire.
“It’s real exciting to get the season going and wrestle alongside my teammates. We worked real hard in the preseason and it was great to get back out there. Wrestling freestyle has helped me a lot. I’m going to try and bring it every match like I always have, and just take it one step at a time.”
Fellow Husker senior Robert Kokesh, ranked second, came back to down unranked Andy McCulley 5-2 at 174. Kokesh has placed third and fourth at NCAAs the past two seasons.
Kokesh is back wrestling again after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee at March’s NCAA tournament.
“I got taken down in the first minute, but I stayed composed and stayed confident in my wrestling,” Kokesh said. “Hopefully, I will get to see him again tomorrow.”
Nebraska also received wins from Collin Jensen (285), Eric Montoya (133), Anthony Abidin (141) and Austin Wilson (165).
No. 16 Benjamin Stroh of Wyoming started strong en route to a 15-6 win over No. 12 T.J. Dudley of Nebraska at 184.
All-American Tyler Cox of Wyoming finished strong in a 7-4 win over NU national qualifier Tim Lambert at 125. Teammate Jake Elliott used a late takedown to clinch a 5-3 win over NCAA qualifier James Arthur at 149. Wyoming’s Shane Woods won the final match at 197.
“I was disappointed with some of our demeanor in matches,” Wyoming coach Mark Branch said. “I was disappointed with how we wrestled on bottom. That’s not a technique thing. To kind of just lay there on bottom … it’s gut-check time for our guys to understand that’s not how we wrestle here.”
Both teams will compete at the Cowboy Open on Saturday at the University of Wyoming. Wrestling is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. in Laramie.
Nebraska 22, Wyoming 13
285 – Collin Jensen (Nebraska) dec. Leland Pfeifer, 6-1. 125 – Tyler Cox (Wyoming) dec. Tim Lambert, 7-4. 133 – Eric Montoya (Nebraska) dec. Drew Templeman, 9-3. 141 – Anthony Abidin (Nebraska) dec. Cole Mendenhall, 14-2. 149 – Jake Elliott (Wyoming) dec. James Arthur (Nebraska), 5-3. 157 – James Green (Nebraska) pinned Archie Colgan, 5:17. 165 – Austin Wilson (Nebraska) dec. Dakota Friesth, 5-2. 174 – Robert Kokesh (Nebraska) dec. Andy McCulley, 5-2. 184 – Benjamin Stroh (Wyoming) dec. T.J. Dudley, 15-6. 197 – Shane Woods (Wyoming) dec. Micah Barnes, 3-2.
Read More#
USA wins women’s freestyle team title at U20 Pan American Championships, led by seven champions
FINAL DAY: Elections to be held for USA Wrestling Standing Committees Positions; Nomination...
Davidson names Marcus Coleman to coaching staff, and continue career with its Regional Training Center
USA Wrestling job opportunity: Digital Video Coordinator
