LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Wesleyan wrestling team closed out their dual season in impressive fashion on Thursday (Feb. 7) defeating Cloud County Community College 31-18 on Senior Night at Snyder Arena.
 
NWU won seven matches with two falls to improve to 4-8 for the dual portion of their schedule.
 
Eron Haynes opened the night with a fall in the third period to give NWU an early 6-0 advantage.  Ryan Smales followed that up with a major decision 10-2 win at 133 making it 10-0.
 
Cloud County picked up their first points with a fall at 141, then NWU responded in the next match.  Brayden Dowding won his first match of the season 5-4 at 149 over Tanner McGivney.  A 4-2 decision from Jared Nickman at 157 put the Prairie Wolves ahead 16-6.
 
The Thunderbirds added two more falls, but they were open at 174 making the score 22-18 in favor of the Prairie Wolves heading to the final two matches.
 
Senior Ben Lodema was able to delight the home crowd in his final match at Snyder Arena winning 6-2 over Zach Bowen.
 
Justin Hennessy closed the match in emphatic fashion once again with a first period fall over his opponent to seal the 31-18 victory.
 
The Prairie Wolves wrestlers now will prepare for the NCAA Regionals that are set for Feb. 23 in Dubuque, Iowa.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan 31, Cloud County Community College 18
Lincoln, Neb. - Feb. 7
 
Wt.        Matchup                                                                                           Result              Team Score (NWU-CCC)
125        Eron Haynes (NWU) over Blayne Harris (CCC)                                 Fall 6:30          6-0
133        Ryan Smales (NWU) over Albert Werden (CCC)                               M. Dec 10-2    10-0
141        Dakota Miller (CCC) over Jaden Duran (NWU)                                Fall, 2:57         10-6    
149        Brayden Dowding (NWU) over Tanner McGivney (CCC)                  Dec 5-4            13-6                
157        Jared Nickman (NWU) over Quentin Jiner (CCC)                              Dec 4-2            16-6                
165        Noah Aziere (CCC) over Kendrick Frazier (CCC)                                Fall, 1:10         16-12              
174        Daniel Alonzo (NWU) won by forfeit                                                by forfet          22-12
184        Matthew Cruickshank (CCC) over Matthew Fricke (NWU)              Fall, 3:23         22-18
197        Ben Lodema (NWU) over Zach Bowen (CCC)                                   Dec. 6-2           25-18
HWT      Justin Hennessy (NWU) over Michael Dorer (CCC)                          Fall, 1:30         31-18
 
*Dual started at 125
 
Nebraska Wesleyan - 4-8
Cloud County C.C. - 4-6