It was announced Monday that Nebraska wrestler Mike Eierman's eligibility has expired and he will no longer compete for the Cornhuskers. Eierman, a former All-American and NCAA qualifier the past two seasons, wrestled twice for the Huskers on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. He pinned both of his opponents. The senior 150-pounder from Chicago will have to forfeit both matches, which will change the result of the Oklahoma match. Nebraska defeated the Sooners 19-17, but will now lose 23-13. Oklahoma State defeated the Huskers 22-16 and will now win 28-10. Nebraska senior associate athletic director Al Papik said no further penalties were contemplated. "My understanding is (Nebraska coach Tim) Neumann submitted a letter requesting a hardship in 1993-94," Papik said. "He (Eierman) would not meet the requirements." According to NCAA rules, if an athlete competes in fewer than 20 percent of the team's competitions and doesn't compete in the second half of the season, he can be eligible for a hardship. Eierman's 1993-94 year had been in question. Neumann said he thought Nebraska Faculty Representative James O'Hanlon submitted to the NCAA a letter of appeals to grant Eierman a hardship for the 1993-94 season. O'Hanlon, who was out of town Monday, did not submit such a letter. Eierman won his first 14 matches of the 1993-94 season, but did not compete the second half of the season because of personal reasons. He finished the year with a 19-5 record and 4-4 dual record. "I wish it wasn't the way it was," Neumann said. Eierman was dismissed from the Husker team at the beginning of the 1995 season for disciplinary reasons. He was reinstated at the beginning of the second semester. Neumann said Eierman would train with Husker assistant coach Brad Penrith to wrestle freestyle. He also will work to completing his degree in human development and family science. "Four years ago getting his degree wasn't a priority," Neumann said. "I told him last week that it didn't look good on him receiving a hardship." Eierman said he was surprised on Monday when he learned he had not received a hardship. "I haven't really thought about not being a part of the team anymore," Eierman said. "The coaches supposedly told me I got the hardship two years ago."
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