UNO's Mavericks ride tough, top Augsburg in battle of No. 1’s

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Omaha, Neb. -- It’s not exactly commonplace for ranked teams across NCAA divisions to compete against one another in most sports. But this isn’t most sports, this is wrestling, which means a matchup between the top-ranked team in Division II, Nebraska-Omaha, and the top-ranked team in Division III, Augsburg isn’t something new, but it’s extremely intriguing.

That intrigue became reality on Friday night at Sapp Fieldhouse in Omaha, but the host Mavericks opened up with three straight major decisions kept at it, pounding the visiting Auggies 28-9.

Each team is two weeks removed from championships at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals, although Augsburg is a surprise #1 this season in Division III, but ascended to the position after upending rival Wartburg in Cedar Falls.

The Mavericks lineup was loaded with nationally-ranked wrestlers, eight in all including three #1’s -- Todd Meneely at 157, Aaron Denson at 165 and Ross Taplin at 174. Augsburg, not to be (completely) outmached, also brought in eight, with a pair of #1’s in D-3, Travis Lang at 133 and Willy Holst at 149.

Denson opened up the bout giving up the first takedown in the opening seconds to Beau Hanson, but the UNO sophomore would dominate the rest of the way earning a 12-3 major decision to put the Mavs up 4-0.

Taplin followed with a major of his own, dispensing outmanned Zach Molitor 11-0. Taplin tossed Molitor to his back in the first 12 seconds for a quick 5-0 lead and was never in trouble.

At 184, Brett Pankoke made it three in a row and gave the Mavs a 12-0 lead as Pankoke majored Brad Baus.

“We just got after it,” said UNO head coach Mike Denney, “Aaron Denson started us of. We got three major decisions in a row and you don't get major decisions unless you're pressing the pace. I think we got after it and our guys were ready to go.”

Augsburg head coach Mark Matzek said some adjustments needed to be made before his squad heads into its Division III showdown next Friday with second-ranked Wartburg.

“If we’re giving up 15 minutes of riding time in the first three matches, we’ll make that adjustment,” Matzek said. “They were on the attack and we couldn’t get off bottom.”

Augsburg answered as Jared Massey broke open a tight match with a third period takedown and two penalty points (fleeing and stalling).

UNO put the difference at 12 to take a 15-3 lead after a first-period takedown was the only offense mustered as Tony Lewis topped Andy Witzel 3-2 at 285 pounds.

Seth Flodeen responded as the dual circled back to the lower weights with a 5-2 victory over Matt Rein at 125 pounds. Rein briefly tied the bout in the third period with two nearfall points on a tilt, but Flodeen responded with a reversal and a riding time point for the final margin.

One of the dual’s featured bouts didn’t take place as Lang didn’t wrestle against Cody Garcia, ranked second in Division II and a former national champion. Alex Johnson got the start in Lang’s place and didn’t make it out of the first period as Garcia picked up the fall at 2:53.

Tony Valek’s wild 15-10 victory over Mario Morgan at 141 pounds kept hopes of at least a tie a possibility. Valek gave up a late second period takedown to fall behind 6-5, but in a scramble, locked Morgan up in a cradle to take a 10-6 lead heading into the third.

Morgan rallied, tying the match with two third period takedowns, but after Valek re-took the lead with an escape, Morgan just missed putting Valek to his back as the Augsburg freshman bellied out and fought off the takedown and the nearfall. A late desperation roll attempt by Morgan was countered for the final takedown.

“(Valek) was outmatched on his feet, but he beat him on the mat,” Matzek said. “He got that nearside cradle in that scramble and that was it.”

The Mavs would put the dual away with Esai Dominguez’s 4-3 victory over Willy Holst at 149 pounds. The loss was Holst’s first of the year.

Trailing 1-0 with choice in the third, Dominguez took neutral and then scored two third-period takedowns to improve to 25-7 on the year.

“We just had to wear on him, wear on him, wear on him,” said Denney. “Esai’s such in great shape and that’s one of his strengths.

“(Taking neutral) was our strategy,” said Denney. “(Holst) is really tough on top and we knew we were wearing him down on our feet.”

Two-time Division II champion Todd Meneely finished off the bout with the dual’s fourth major decision, a 15-5 victory over Jason Adams to put the stamp on the Mavs victory over their top-ranked brethren.

“I think it’s become a great rivalry between us,” said Matzek. “We started wrestling them back in 2005 and just by the sheer competitiveness in each and every match and the coaches, it’s real good for wrestling.”

Denney, coaching in his 30th year at UNO, agreed with Matzek, coaching in his first.

“I think it’s great for wrestling,” Denney said. “You don’t see it too much. I’m actually trying to get a rivalry with Lindenwood -- they’re perennial powers in the NAIA and I like doing that.

“Great wrestling, great matchups, great rivalries,” continued Denney. “Next week, it’s Central Oklahoma and Nebraska-Kearney ... great rivalries and that’s what we try to bring our guys.”

1. 1-D2 NEBRASKA-OMAHA 28, #1-D3 AUGSBURG COLLEGE 9
   

165: Aaron Denson (UNO) MD Beau Hansen (Augsburg) 12-3. UNO 4-0.
174: Ross Taplin (UNO) MD Zach Molitor (Augsburg) 11-0. UNO 8-0.
184: Brett Pankoke (UNO) MD Brad Baus (Augsburg) 12-1. UNO 12-0.
197: Jared Massey (Augsburg) DEC Jacob Marrs (UNO) 7-2. UNO 12-3.
285: Tony Lewis (UNO) DEC Andy Witzel (Augsburg) 3-2. UNO 15-3.
125: Seth Flodeen (Augsburg) DEC Matt Rein (UNO) 5-2. UNO 15-6.
133: Cody Garcia (UNO) FALL Alex Johnson (Augsburg) 2:53. UNO 21-6.
141: Tony Valek (Augsburg) DEC Mario Morgan (UNO) 15-10. UNO 21-9.
149: Esai Dominguez (UNO) DEC WIlly Holst (Augsburg) 4-3. UNO 24-9.
157: Todd Meneely (UNO) MD Jason Adams (Augsburg) 15-5. UNO 28-9.