Nebraska wrestling makes history at NCAA tournament, plus more

The Nebraska wrestling team has a chance to crown three national champions on Saturday in the NCAA tournament in what has been a historic performance for the Huskers.

Eight of the nine wrestlers who qualified for the NCAA tournament for Nebraska are still alive in the field. That’s eight All-Americans. Nebraska wrestling also had three wrestlers advance to the finals led by 149-pounder Ridge Lovett, who will be making his second appearance in the championship round.

Lovett won a 14-8 decision over Shayne Van Ness of Penn State to advance to the 149-pound finals. He was joined by Antrell Taylor (157) who knocked off Meyer Shapiro of Cornell 7-2. At 141 pounds, Brock Hardy also punched his ticket to the national title match with an 11-4 decision over Cael Happel of Northern Iowa.

It’s the first time Nebraska wrestling has sent three wrestlers to the finals since 1984. Others who have already clinched All-American status for the Huskers are Caleb Smith (125), Jacob Van Dee (133), Christopher Minto (165), Silas Allred (184), and Camden McDaniel (197).

Nebraska wrestling had a 15-6 record on the second day of the NCAA tournament. The Huskers are sitting is second place with 101.5 points, which also is a program record. Penn State is well in front with 139.

The national championship matches are set for Saturday night at 7 PM EST. ESPN will have full coverage.

Nebraska women’s basketball bounced from the NCAA tournament

In other Nebraska news, the women’s basketball was knocked out of the NCAA tournament after a 63-58 loss to Louisville in the first round.

With the Huskers trailing by one point, Britt Prince was driving the basketball and was called for a charge with 25 seconds left. Louisville cashed in at the free throw line and the Huskers weren’t able to even the score, ending their season after 21 wins.

In her final game as a Husker, Alexis Markowski had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Prince led the Cornhuskers with 14 in the loss.

Nebraska on the diamond

Nebraska softball won their conference home opener in dominant fashion, 8-0 over Minnesota. Jordy Bahl pitched a complete-game shutout (six innings) after allowing just one hit, an infield single, and striking out eight batters. She’s now 11-3 on the season. Nebraska softball also got a three-run homer from Kacie Hoffman in the win.

However, the Nebraska baseball team continues to struggle. Will Walsh fell to 2-4 on the season after giving up four runs on eight hits in six innings. Dylan Carey was 1-for-4 with 2 RBI.

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