Loper Athletics
KEARNEY – The Nebraska Kearney wrestling team moved up eight spots to 10th in the second edition of the 2023-24 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) preseason Top 25 poll.This is a tournament powering ranking index where teams get points based on where individuals are ranked in their respective weight class. A number one ranking is worth 20 points, second is 16 points, third is 13 points etc. Thus, the Lopers tallied 41 points to just be ahead of Millersville (Pa.) and right behind Upper Iowa.Lander (S.C.) remains number one with 81 points and is followed by West Liberty of West Virginia (71), Indianapolis (65), Central Oklahoma (59) with St. Cloud State and Mary, N.D. tied for fifth (52).
Veteran Nick James (Kearney H.S.) moved up three spots to fourth at 141 pounds with another two-time All-American, Billy Higgins (Omaha Skutt), remaining fourth at 184 pounds. Next, redshirt sophomore heavyweight Crew Howard (Clarinda, Ia.) went up five spots to fifth with redshirt senior Jacobi Deal (Durham, N.C.) and redshirt sophomore Jackson Kinsella (Creston, Ia.) making their national ranking debuts. Deal is ninth at 174 pounds with Kinsella 10th at 197 pounds.The Lopers are at No. 13 Chadron State on Friday night with some non-varsity members headed to the Cougar Open in Great Bend, Kan., on Saturday.