The third-ranked Nebraska wrestling team finished third at the 2021 Big Ten Championships with 105.5 points for the program's seventh top-five finish at the event and sixth in as many years. 
 
Nebraska was led by second-place finishes from Ridge Lovett (149), Taylor Venz (184) and Eric Schultz (197) and eight Huskers clinched automatic bids to the NCAA Championships.
 
In the Huskers' first title match of the day, Lovett met Ohio State's top-seed Sammy Sasso. Lovett scored first with a takedown a minute into the bout. Sasso added an escape and a takedown in the final minute to take a one-point edge into the second period. Starting on top, Lovett held on to add to his riding time but Sasso managed a reversal to extend his lead. The two would go scoreless in the final period and Sasso ultimately took the match by 5-2 decision. Lovett finished five spots above his tournament seed for his best result at the Big Ten Championships. 
 
Venz took the finals mat next, facing Penn State's top-seed Aaron Brooks. Venz was first on the board with a takedown but Brooks scored an escape and takedown for a 3-2 lead at the end of the first three minutes of the match. Venz added three escape points, but it would not be enough to defeat Brooks, who took the bout by 10-5 decision. Venz's runner-up finish is his best career finish at the conference tournament. 
 
Schultz met Myles Amine of Michigan in the 197-pound final for Nebraska's last title match of the tournament. Schultz was unable to land any shots on Amine as the Wolverine took the match by 7-3 decision. Schultz's second-place finish is his second in as many years. 
 
Mikey Labriola earned the Huskers' next highest finish with a third-place result at 174 pounds. In the consolation semifinals, Labriola earned an 8-4 decision over Donnell Washington (Indiana) to advance to the third-place match. In his final bout of the tournament, the Husker earned his fifth major decision of the year, defeating Michigan's Logan Massa 11-3.  
 
In the 141-pound consolation semifinals, Chad Red Jr. earned his third major decision and second matchup against Northwestern's Colin Valdiviez of the tournament. Red Jr. met three-seed Sebastian Rivera (Rutgers) in the third-place bout and finished fourth as Rivera managed to score the deciding escape to take the match 4-3. 
 
Peyton Robb registered a 6-3 decision over Gerrit Nijenhuis (Purdue) in the consolation semifinals to wrestle for third place. Robb met Michigan's four-seed Cameron Amine in the battle for bronze, but Amine would come away with the hardware. Robb finished the tournament 3-2 overall. 
 
In the Huskers' final match of the day, Christian Lance (HWT) earned a 3-2 win over Ohio State's Tate Orndorff. Lance fell to Penn State's Greg Kerkvliet in the consolation semifinals to put him in the fifth-place match and finished the tournament 3-2 overall. 
 
At 157 pounds, Caleb Licking finished seventh in his first Big Ten Championships appearance. He took the seventh-place bout with a win by forfeit over Michigan's Will Lewan. Licking finished the tournament 2-2. 
 
Liam Cronin (125) and Tucker Sjomeling (133) both finished ninth at the conference championship. Cronin earned a 9-5 decision over Dylan Shawver (Rutgers) to in the ninth-place semifinal match. In the ninth-place bout, he earned his second pin of the season, defeating Wisconsin's Eric Barnett by fall in 2:02. After advancing to the 133-pound ninth-place bout by forfeit, Tucker Sjomeling earned an 11-6 decision over Michigan's Jack Medley for the top-10 finish. 
 
Nebraska now sets its focus to the 2021 NCAA Championships, which will be held March 18-20 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Mo. 
 
Big Ten Championships 
Bryce Jordan Center | University Park, Pa.
March 6-7, 2021 
 
125 Pounds: No. 2 Liam Cronin – 9th – 0.0 pts. 
First Round:  BYE
Quarterfinals: No. 7 Devin Schroder (PUR) dec. Liam Cronin (NEB), 3-1 SV1
Cons. Second Round: No. 8 Michael DeAugustino (NW) dec. Liam Cronin (NEB), 4-1
9th-Place Semifinals: Liam Cronin (NEB) dec. No. 13 Dylan Shawver (RUT), 9-5
9th-Place Match: Liam Cronin (NEB) pinned No. 6 Eric Barnett (WIS), 2:02

133 Pounds: No. 11 Tucker Sjomeling – 9th – 3.0 pts. 
First Round:  Tucker Sjomeling (NEB) def. No. 7 Austin DeCantur (OSU), Medical Forfeit 
Quarterfinals: No. 2 Austin DeSanto (IOWA) def. Tucker Sjomeling (NEB), 4-1
Cons. Second Round: No. 9 Kyle Burwick (WIS) dec. Tucker Sjomeling (NEB), 6-3
9th-Place Quarterfinals: Tucker Sjomleing (NEB) pinned Shane Metzler (RUT), 5:57
9th-Place Semifinals: Tucker Sjomeling (NEB) def. No. 7 Austin DeCantur (OSU), Forfeit
9th-Place Match: Tucker Sjomeling (NEB)dec. No. 5 Jack Medley (MICH), 11-6
 
141 Pounds: No. 4 Chad Red Jr. – 4th – 14.5 pts. 
First Round:  Chad Red Jr. (NEB) major dec. No. 13 Colin Valdiviez (NU), 10-2
Quarterfinals: Chad Red Jr. (NEB) major dec. No. 5 Dylan Duncan (ILL), 12-3
Semifinals: No. 1 Jaydin Eierman (IOWA) dec. Chad Red Jr. (NEB), 7-1
Cons. Semifinals: Chad Red Jr. (NEB) major dec. No. 13 Colin Valdiviez (NU), 13-2
3rd-Place Match: No. 3 Sebastian Rivera (RUT) dec. Chad Red Jr. (NEB), 4-3

149 Pounds: No. 7 Ridge Lovett – 2nd – 15.0 pts. 
First Round:  Ridge Lovett (NEB) dec. No. 10 Graham Rooks (IU), 6-1
Quarterfinals: Ridge Lovett (NEB) dec. No. 2 Max Murin (IOWA), 11-6
Semifinals: Ridge Lovett (NEB) dec. No. 6 Michael Blockhus (MINN), 2-1 TB1
Finals: No. 1 Sammy Sasso (OSU) dec. Ridge Lovett (NEB), 5-2

157 Pounds: No. 10 Caleb Licking – 7th – 7.0 pts.
First Round:  No. 7 Chase Saldate (MSU) pinned Caleb Licking (NEB), 3:31
Cons. Second Round: Caleb Licking (NEB) dec. No. 9 Elijah Cleary (OSU), 2-1
Cons. Quarterfinals: No. 5 Brady Berge (PSU) major dec. Caleb Licking (NEB), 12-2
7th-Place Match: Caleb Licking (NEB) def. No. 6 Will Lewan (MICH), Forfeit 
 
165 Pounds: No. 7 Peyton Robb – 4th – 11.5 pts. 
First Round:  Peyton Robb (NEB) dec. No. 10 Nick South (IU), 10-4
Quarterfinals: Peyton Robb (NEB) dec. No. 2 Dan Braunagel (ILL), 9-5
Semifinals: No. 3 Ethan Smith (OSU) dec. Peyton Robb (NEB), 5-3 SV1
Cons. Semifinals: Peyton Robb (NEB) dec. No. 9 Gerrit Nijenhuis (PUR), 6-3
3rd-Place Match: No. 4 Cameron Amine (MICH) dec. Peyton Robb (NEB), 4-1
 
174 Pounds: No. 2 Mikey Labriola – 3rd – 13.5 pts. 
First Round:  BYE
Quarterfinals: Mikey Labriola (NEB) dec. No. 7 Jackson Turley (RUT), 11-9 
Semifinals: No. 3 Carter Starocci (PSU) dec. Mikey Labriola (NEB), 3-1 SV1
Cons. Semifinals: Mikey Labriola (NEB) dec. No. 5 Donnell Washington (IND), 8-4
3rd-Place Match: Mikey Labriola (NEB) major dec. No. 4 Logan Massa (MICH), 11-3
 
184 Pounds: No. 6 Taylor Venz – 2nd – 17.0 pts. 
First Round:  Taylor Venz (NEB) pinned No. 11 Kyle Cochran (MD), 3:41
Quarterfinals: Taylor Venz (NEB) dec. No. 3 Layne Malczewski (MSU), 13-6
Semifinals: Taylor Venz (NEB) dec. No. 2 Christopher Weiler (WIS), 10-3
Finals: No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) dec. Taylor Venz (NEB), 10-5
 
197 Pounds: No. 1 Eric Schultz – 2nd – 15.0 pts. 
First Round:  BYE
Quarterfinals: Eric Schultz (NEB) dec. No. 9 Gavin Hoffman (OSU), 2-0
Semifinals: Eric Schultz (NEB) dec. No. 4 Cam Caffey (MSU), 2-1
Finals: No. 2 Myles Amine (MICH) dec. Eric Schultz (NEB), 7-3
 
285 Pounds: No. 5 Christian Lance – 5th – 9.0 pts.
First Round:  Christian Lance (NEB) dec. No. 12 Dorian Keys (PUR), 4-0
Quarterfinals: Christian Lance (NEB) dec. No. 4 Luke Luffman (ILL), 3-1 SV1
Semifinals: No. 1 Gable Steveson (MINN) def. Christian Lance (NEB), Injury default
Cons. Semifinals: No. 7 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) major dec. Christian Lance (NEB), 10-2
5th-Place Match: Christian Lance (NEB) dec. No. 8 Tate Orndorff (OSU), 3-2
 
Final Team Finishes (Points): 
 
1. Iowa (159.5)
2. Penn State (124.0)
3. Nebraska (105.5)
4. Michigan (92.0)
5. Minnesota (77.5)
6. Purdue (76.0)
7. Northwestern (74.0)
8. Michigan State (73.5)
9. Ohio State (69.5)
10. Rutgers (52.0)
11. Illinois (32.0)
12. Wisconsin (30.5)
13. Indiana (22.0)
14. Maryland (2.0)

Huskers Edged by Wolverines in Double Overtime, 3-2

The Nebraska women's soccer team battled Michigan into double overtime, falling 3-2 with just under five minutes remaining in the period on Sunday at Hibner Stadium. 
 
Reagan Raabe put the Huskers (1-2-1) on the board in the third minute of the game, intercepting a Wolverine pass across the top of the box and sliding one into the bottom-left corner for her first goal of her career. 
 
Michigan (2-1-2) responded with one of their own in the 31st minute as Kacey Lawrence capitalized off a failed clear by Nebraska and a quick touch from Lily Farkas. 
 
Only a minute later, NU earned a corner kick that Dakota Chan delivered across the box. Marissa Popoola was there to launch a header into the net and record her first career goal and put the Huskers back on top. 
 
The Wolverines scored their equalizing goal in the 61st minute, as Sydney Shepard headed in a corner kick from Raleigh Loughman.
 
Makinzie Short and the Husker backline kept Michigan scoreless for the remainder of the half, including a late Michigan push that saw the Wolverines take four shots in two minutes. Short finished the game with three saves while the defense blocked four shots on the day. 
 
Michigan's game-winning goal came from Danielle Wolfe in the sixth minute of the second overtime period.
 
Chan's first half assist is her second career assist, bringing her career point total to six. Eleanor Dale led the Huskers with two shots on the day. 
 
The Wolverines outshot the Huskers 22-8 and held a 6-5 edge in shots on target. NU took five corner kicks to Michigan's eight. 
 
The Huskers are back in action on Saturday, March 13 to take on Wisconsin. The game kicks off at 2:05 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on BTN+ (additional subscription required). 

Huskers Place Second at Music City Classic

Lincoln - The Nebraska bowling team placed second at the Music City Classic on Sunday as NU fell 1-4-1 to top-ranked McKendree.

Despite having gone 1-2 on the day, Head Coach Paul Klempa was pleased with the team's performance.

"The team continued playing at a high level again today," Klempa stated. "We lost a very tight match in the final - tying one game, losing another by one pin and a third game by three. Those games all could have gone either way, and we were on the wrong side of each of them. Each tournament we have played better than the last. I am pleased with the team's progress these past few weeks. They are building some serious momentum as we approach the postseason."

NU began the day against McKendree. McKendree took an early lead having won the first game 182-139, but the Huskers fought back to even the series at 1-1 with a 167-158 win. Nebraska fell in the third and fourth games 215-234 and 209-178. The bowlers wouldn't give up as they bowled their way to a 188-164 victory in the fifth game to bring the record to 2-3. McKendree won the sixth game 193-144 to take the series 4-2.

The Huskers looked to build some momentum in the second match of the day versus No. 4 North Carolina A&T. NU fell in the first two games 161-178 and 231-233. Looking at a 0-2 deficit, NU never looked back, sweeping the last four games 204-202, 207-169, 206-202 and 222-214. This win put NU at a 1-1 record on the day and in the championship match.

In a rematch against McKendree, the Huskers took a commanding 242-186 win in the opener. NU fell in the second game however, 257-244 before tying in the third game at 204 apiece. The record stood at 1-1-1. The bowlers narrowly fell in the next two games 192-193 and 222-224 before McKendree won the matchup, taking game six 182-170.

The Huskers will return to competition March 12-14 in Jonesboro, Ark. at the Hijinx Bowling Center.

Music City Classic Results

1. No. 1 McKendree
2. No. 5 Nebraska
3. No. 4 North Carolina A&T
4. No. 6 Louisiana Tech
5. No. 17 Tulane
6. No. 16 Stephen F. Austin
7. No. 8 Sam Houston State
8. No. 22 Central Missouri
9. No. 3 Vanderbilt 
10. No. 14 Maryville
11. No. 15 Lincoln Memorial
12. No. 25 Valparaiso
13. Alabama State
14. Jackson State
15. Tusculum
16. No. 23 Wisconsin-Whitewater
17. No. 21 UAB
18. Kentucky Wesleyan
19. Spalding

Kusche, Freyhof Qualify for NCAA Cross Country Championships

Nebraska cross country runners George Kusche and Erika Freyhof have been selected to compete at the NCAA Championships next Monday, March 15 in Stillwater, Okla.  

Kusche earned his third career NCAA Championships bid after winning the Big Ten cross country individual gold medal on January 30 in Shelbyville, Ind. Kusche became the Husker's first Big Ten cross country champion, racing a time of 24:01.2 in the 8K to reach the historic feat. Kusche is Nebraska's first conference champion since 1992 and just the seventh conference champion in program history. Kusche is the second Husker male in school history to qualify for the NCAA Championships three times, joining Jean Verster (1985-87). Kusche's career best finish at nationals was 55th place in 2018. 

Freyhof earned her first bid to nationals after finishing sixth at the Big Ten Championships with a personal-best time of 20:41.2, also earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. Freyhof's finish was the best individual result at the Big Ten Championships by a Nebraska female runner and marks the best individual finish on the women's side since Lara Crofford finished sixth at the 2008 Big 12 Championships. Freyhof is the first Husker female to qualify for the NCAA Championships since Crofford in 2010. 

The NCAA Cross Country Championships will be held at the Oklahoma State Cross Country Course in Stillwater, Okla., on Monday, March 15. The women's 6K race will begin at 11:50 a.m. The men's 10K race will begin at 12:40 p.m. The meet will be televised on ESPNU. 

Huskers Top Nittany Lions 4-2

Lincoln, Neb. The Nebraska women's tennis team improved to 6-2 after defeating Penn State 4-2 on Sunday. After dropping the doubles point, the Huskers won four singles matches to earn the victory. 

The Nittany Lions came out strong in doubles match play as duo Samantha Smith and Olivia Rohrbacher defeated Isabel Adrover Gallego and Claire Reifeis 6-3. 

Chloe Kuckelman and Hayley Haakenstad topped Penn State's Sofiya Chekhlystove and Olivia Rohrbacher 6-4.

Gabby O'Gorman and Karyle Friendland took down Kristina Novak and Maja Makoric by a score of 6-4. 

The Huskers responded with back-to-back wins by Claire Reifeis at No. 3 and Chloe Kuckelman at No. 5 as they defeated Karly Friedland (6-2, 1-6) and Alexandrea Nielsen (7-6, 6-1), respectively. Freshman Maja Makoric clinched the win over Frederikka Svarre by a score of 7-6, 7-5 at No. 4. 

Penn State bounced back as Sofiya Chekhlystova defeated Isabel Adrover Gallego in three sets at No. 2. Adrover Gallego took the first set 6-4 but Chekhlystova managed the last two 6-3, 6-2. 

To conclude the match, Novak picked up the first set against Gabby O'Gorman 6-3 before falling in the second, 5-7. She secured the win for the Huskers as she took the third set 6-1 at the No. 1 spot. 

At the end of match play, Hayley Haakenstad and Samantha Smith were in their third set with a score of 6-2, 1-6, 5-4. 

The Nebraska women's tennis team is back in action as they travel to Northwestern on Friday and Illinois on Sunday. 

Doubles 
1. Gabby O'Gorman/Karly Friedland (PSU) def. Kristina Novak/Maja Makoric (NEB) 6-4
2. Samantha Smith/Olicia Rohrbacher (PSU) def. Isabel Adrover Gallego/Claire Reifeis (NEB) 6-3
3. Hayley Haakenstad/Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) def. Sofiya Chekhlystove/Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) 6-4

Singles 
1.  Kristina Novak (NEB) def. Gabby O'Gorman(PSU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
2. Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) def. Isabel Adrover Gallego (NEB) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
3.Claire Reifeis (NEB) def. Karly Friedland (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
4. Maja Makoric (NEB) def. Frederikka Svarre (PSU) 7-6(7), 7-5 
5. Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) def. Alexandrea Nielsen (PSU) 7-6(1), 6-1
6. Hayley Haakenstad (NEB) vs. Samantha Smith (PSU) 6-2, 1-6, 5-4, unfinished