by Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney wrestling team, led by national champions Romero Cotton and Daniel DeShazer, finished second at the 2015 NCAA Championships Saturday night in St. Louis, Mo.
UNK tallied 76.50 points to come in behind first-time national champ St. Cloud State (84.50). The Huskies, with one national champ, two runners up and two third place finishers, finally get to the top of the award stand after finishing second in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
To record the program’s fifth national runner up finish and 14th straight Top 10 showing, the Lopers had five All-Americans in Cotton (1st/197 lbs.), DeShazer (1st/133 lbs.), sophomore Destin McCauley (3rd/149 lbs.), junior Devin Aguirre (4th/165 lbs.) and redshirt freshman Keith Surber (5th/141 lbs.).
McCauley (Omaha Tribe) fell to rival Terrel Wilbourn of Lindenwood in the 149 lbs. semifinals. Losing to Wilbourn by an 11-5 score in the regular season, McCauley was poised to grab a 2-0 lead late in the first period.
However, Wilbourn not only fought off the shot but got a takedown and two near fall points to lead 4-0. McCauley tried to rally but lost 7-6.
He came back to win two matches, using a third period takedown to beat Findlay’s Nick Goebel, 3-2, for third place. McCauley ends 2014-15 with a 27-8 mark.
