The steamroller that is the Nebraska wrestling team kept rolling this weekend, defeating Rider 27-12 on Saturday and No. 16 Hofstra 25-10 on Sunday.
The Cornhuskers improved their season record to 14-2 with the help of strong individual performances during their trip to the East Coast.
Craig Brester used his loss to Maxwell Askren of Missouri more than two weeks ago as a motivator to continue his strong wrestling as of late. After that tough loss, the 197-pound sophomore has defeated, in succession, the No. 5, No.12 and No. 10 wrestlers in his weight class.
"After a tough loss like that you kind of realize where you're sitting at and what you need to do to get it done and accomplish what you want to," Brester said. "I learned from my loss and it's paid off over the last couple weeks. Hopefully, it will continue to pay off."
But Brester did more than just defeat his opponents. In a 9-1 major decision, he recorded a nearfall and two takedowns in his bout with T.J. Morrison of Rider. Brester then took care of business against Hofstra's Joe Rovelli, recording two nearfalls to give him the 10-3 advantage.
"They're quality kids," Brester said. "But in all that, I was able to go out and do what I wanted to and it turned out in my favor."
Brester was not the only Husker to make some noise this weekend.
Wrestling just 50 miles from his home in Sicklerville, N.J., on Saturday, Jordan Burroughs racked up 20 points to No. 18 Don Fisch's five. Burroughs ended the match by technical fall, scoring three takedowns and a nearfall in the second period.
Burroughs kept it up in his bout Sunday against Mitch Smith, recording takedown after takedown. Burroughs was able to get a last takedown at the end of the match to record a major decision and finish the dual with the Husker on top 25-10.
Nebraska Coach Mark Manning couldn't have been more straightforward after the match.
"He did a good job," Manning said. "He had two pretty tough guys -- a returning All-American from Rider -- and he wrestled them real well."
Also wrestling well was Stephen Dwyer, at 165 pounds, who recorded two nearfalls in his 12-3 decision over Rider's Jason Lapham. Dwyer then defeated Hofstra's Ryan Patrovich 11-5.
It may be overstated, but Manning said there is still work to be done. Manning also said the team is making progress, and that next week's dual against Iowa State will be important because the team will be seeing the same wrestlers again less than two weeks later during the conference championships.
With only one dual left before the postseason, Manning said the team is staying focused and still determined to get better.
"Our kids feed off of each other well," Manning said. "They're all pulling together and they all want the same thing so they're wrestling hard for each other."
davehoufek@dailynebraskan.com
