The dual was a rematch of last year’s finals match where UNO edged Newberry, 23-19.

The dual started with redshirt freshman Terrell McKinney upsetting third-ranked Matt Oliver in the 125-pound match. McKinney scored a take down with seven seconds left in the match to earn the 8-6 win. The Omaha native finished the weekend with a 4-0 record in his first National Duals.

Senior Cody Garcia defeated Sheridan Moran 7-2 at 133. The second-ranked Garcia finished the weekend 4-0 and improved to 28-0 on the year overall.

Junior and sixth-ranked Mario Morgan collected a 6-2 win over Deral Brown in the 141-pound match. The Chicago native went 4-0 on the weekend.

In the 149-pound match Tait Weatherbee met Dale DeBacco. Weatherbee scored a take down and near fall late in the third period and held on for the 5-4 win to put the Mavs up 12-0 in the dual. Weatherbee finished the weekend with a 2-2 record.

Redshirt freshman George Ivanov finished his impressive weekend with a 4-1 win over Latra Collick in the 157-pound match. Ivanov finished the weekend 4-0 in his first National Duals.

Fifth-ranked Ryan Pankoke collected a 12-2 major decision over Sean Byrnes at 165 to put UNO up 19-0 in the dual. Pankoke finished the weekend 3-1.

Curtis Chenoweth earned Newberry its first points of the dual with a 8-4 win over sophomore Brett Rosedale in the 174-pound match and put the score at 19-3 in favor of the Mavs. Rosedale finished the weekend 2-1.

Newberry’s top-ranked Bryant Blanton defeated redshirt freshman Mitch Brown 3-1 in the 184-pound match and gave Newberry three more points.

The 197-pound showdown saw fourth-ranked senior Jacob Marrs battle Newberry’s top-ranked Keeno Griffin. Marrs came away with a late take down to give seal an 8-6 win over Griffin. The two All-Americans squared off at last year’s National Tournament in the finals with Griffin winning that match. Marrs went 4-0 on the weekend.

Third-ranked 285-pounder Elijah Madison defeated Jake Elkins, 8-4. Madison finished the weekend with a 3-1 record.

The Mavericks will host two events next week. On Jan. 15, Lindenwood (4-1) visits for UNO’s first home dual of the 2009-10 season. The dual match is slated for a 7 p.m. start in Sapp Fieldhouse. The 2010 Brand Open will follow on Jan. 16. Wrestling will get underway at 9 a.m.

Newberry (NEW) 6 vs. Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) 25
125 – Terrell McKinney (UNO) WBD Matt Oliver (NEW) D 8-6
133 – Cody Garcia (UNO) WBD Sheridan Moran (NEW) D 8-2
141 – Mario Morgan (UNO) WBD Deral Brown (NEW) D 6-2
149 – Taiten Weatherbee (UNO) WBD Dale DeBacco (NEW) D 5-4
157 – George Ivanov (UNO) WBD Latra Collick (NEW) D 4-1
165 – Ryan Pankoke (UNO) WBD Sean Byrnes (NEW) M 12-2
174 – Curtis Chenoweth (NEW) WBD Brett Rosedale (UNO) D 8-4
184 – Byrant Blanton (NEW) WBD Mitch Brown (UNO) D 3-1
197 – Jacob Marrs (UNO) WBD Keeno Griffin (NEW) D 8-6
285 – Elijah Madison (UNO) WBD Jake Elkin (NEW) D 8-4

Maverick Wrestling Notes:
* The Mavericks have now won titles at the National duals five times (2010, 2009, 2007, 2006 and 1997).
* UNO is 2-0 against nationally ranked teams on this season (Defeated No. 9 St. Cloud State and No. 2 Newberry).
* Mavericks wrestlers competed in 40 matches at the 2010 National Duals, winning 32 of them.
* The Mavericks have won 17 dual contests in a row
* Head coach Mike Denny’s dual record at UNO improved to 293-109-5.
* Redshirt freshmen Terrell McKinney and George Ivanov both went 4-0 competing in their first NWCA National Duals. McKinney defeated Matt Oliver of Newberry (ranked third at 125) and Andy Forstner (ranked fourth at 125) of Minnesota State. Ivanov defeated Andy Lamancusa (ranked first at 157) of Mercyhurst and John Sundgren (ranked fifth at 157) of St. Cloud State.

The win gives UNO NCAA II wrestling titles in 1991, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009. The Mavericks also won the 1970 NAIA tournament championship.

The Mavericks finished with a total of 146.5 points, shattering their previous high of 117 points set in 2006. UNO nearly doubled second place Newberry who finished with 80.5 points.

Head coach Mike Denney was named the Coach of the Year, while Cody Garcia picked up the award for Most Falls in the Least Amount of Time. Garcia finished with four pins in 11:16. His fastest pin was in 45 seconds.

The Mavericks set a school record with nine wrestlers earning All-Americans honors, breaking the previous mark of eight set in the 2000 season.

Final Team Scores
1. Nebraska-Omaha – 146.5
2. Newberry – 80.5
3. Minnesota State, Mankato – 71.5
4. Nebraska-Kearney – 65.0
5. Adams State – 62.0

FULL STORY

–Courtesy UNO Athletics

Benedict, who originally played for Tennessee, transferred to Newberry and seemed to have a bright professional sports career ahead: some projections had the 25-year-old going in the third round of the NFL draft.

Police have ruled out both drugs or alcohol as possible causes, and do not suspect foul play.

FULL STORY

–Excerpt courtesy WLTX.com