Wrestlers take momentum into Vegas tournament

Head wrestling Coach Mark Manning is banking on his team's experience as Nebraska travels out to Las Vegas for the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.


"It's just going out there and wrestling," Manning said.


He expects his team to put forth another strong effort. Last year the Huskers took fourth at the invitational, with six of the Huskers' nine wrestlers finishing in the top six.

Former Husker Kenny Jordan was the lone champion. That's not enough for Manning.


"We want many guys to go out there and win the tournament," Manning said.


One of the wrestlers that Manning is counting on is Stephen Dwyer. The 165-pound junior ranks fourth nationally. Dwyer doesn't care about his ranking or his opponent's ranking. He cares about winning.


"I've never paid attention to rankings," Dwyer said.

"Dwyer doesn't know if he's ranked 1st or 12th," Manning jabbed.


He does know what to expect in Vegas. Dwyer finished fifth with a 5-2 record.

"It is a big tournament," Dwyer said. "There are a lot of guys in my weight class. I like the chance to wrestle with the top people."


Dwyer didn't want to play the tournament up too big.


"It's early season. This isn't the NCAA's by any means. It's a good indicator as to where you are."


Dwyer expects to see some of these guys in the future, noting that Nebraska wrestles a tough schedule.


One of two seniors making the trip, Brandon Browne, doesn't want the role of motivational leader. Instead he'd rather lead by example.


"I don't do a lot of talking," Browne said. "I just go out there and try to wrestle."


Browne's work ethic has rubbed off on the young guys. Browne said that the younger guys are wrestling harder.


"They know if they don't go out there and perform as hard as we are, then they're not holding up their end," Browne said.


Manning echoed Browne's thoughts. Manning said the key would be continual development of the younger guys.


"Those guys are going to be the difference," Manning said.


Manning listed Andy Pokorny and Tucker Lane as two wrestlers to watch for this weekend.

"(Pokorny and Lane) go out there and see some really good guys," Manning said.


Another wrestler that will be of interest is Curtis Salazar. The sophomore from Greeley, Colo., will start for the Huskers at 141 pounds. Salazar leads the Huskers with 10 wins on the season. He's coming off an impressive weekend where he earned one pin fall against Jay Sherer of Augustana and one tech fall against Ryan Harold.


"A real important weekend for Curtis," Manning said. "I think it's time for him to step up at a big meet and beat some guys you aren't supposed to."


Several wrestlers won wrestle-offs to earn a spot to Vegas. Senior Vince Jones at 184-pounds beat out Levi Wofford in a highly-contested battle. Jones hopes to continue his string of falls. He has six pins in his 8-0 record on the year.


Sophomore Matt Vacanti beat out his competition to represent the 133-pound weight class.


Manning said the team had a good week of practice and he hopes a healthier Husker team can come out of Las Vegas with some winners.


"We'll go out there and see how many champions we have," Manning said.


Browne plans to be one of them.


"Going there this weekend the only thing I want to do is win it," Browne said. "I want to win every tournament."