UNK Wrestling: #4 Lopers Roll Hays Again, 40-12

Kearney, Neb. – The fourth-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team used three falls, three tech falls and a major decision to roll past Fort Hays State, 40-12, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

This was "Senior Night" and UNK's final home event of 2024-25. The Lopers finish up the dual season (10-7, 4-1) and beat the Tigers (5-6, 2-3) for a 23rd straight time, dating back to 2001. 

Now sixth-year team member after a stint as a volunteer coach, Nick James (Kearney H.S.) returned to the mats for the first time since a national runner up finish at 141-pounds last March. The volunteer assistant coach opted in to his "COVID" year a few weeks ago and bumps up to 149-pounds.

"After the St. Cloud dual (Jan. 12), I had a conversation with the coaches. You look at this lineup that we have ... they are fun to watch, work really hard and have a fire in their eyes that's contagious," said James. "When I had the opportunity to come back, and it wasn't my idea, I couldn't pass it down."
                                                           
His 81st career win featured seven takedowns as part of a 21-6 tech fall in 5:44. Eighth-ranked and redshirt senior Jacari Deal (Durham, N.C.) overcame an early 3-0 hole at 184-pounds to win by an almost an identical score; 21-5 in 6:34. His night included 11 third-period points with his brother, Jacobi, getting a late takedown to have a 9-1 major a class earlier.

"We wrestled well and were pretty dominating from top to bottom," said Loper head coach Dalton Jensen. "Couple of weights got out of our hands but I think we're in good shape heading into the postseason. Zach (Ourada) will be back, no problem."

Finally, redshirt junior heavyweight Jake Boley (Colorado Springs) got off to a fast start and then had enough gas left in the tank to have a 16-1 tech fall in 5:28 with fifth-ranked Jackson Kinsella (Creston, Ia.) battling 11th-ranked Tereus Henry, 5-3, at 197-pounds once again.  

"Crew (Howard) is dominant, number one ranked guy in the country and Jake is the same age. He's not going to return for his fifth year – he just got into veterinary school -- so Crew wanted him to have this opportunity tonight. Crew isn't where he's at if it's not for Jake," said Jensen. "I think those guys (Jackson and Tereus) have wrestled seven times in college. They have us 4-3 but we'll see him again at regionals and maybe nationals. It's always going to come down to one exchange between those two."

Both teams head to Gunnison, Colo., for the Super Region VI meet on March 1.