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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The No. 1 ranked University of Nebraska at Omaha wrestling team edged No. 2 Newberry (S.C.) College, 23-19, to claim the 2009 NWCA National Duals title at the UNI Dome on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa Sunday afternoon.

After dropping the first match, UNO won six straight, including a pin by Todd Meneely (157), who was named the Division II Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

The win marks the fourth National Dual title for UNO. The Mavericks won the dual in 1997 as well as back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006.

The dual began with NC No. 6 Matt Oliver recording a 10-0 major decision over Matt Rein at 125. Second-ranked Cody Garcia answered back at 133 with a major decision (9-0) over Sheridan Moran to tie the dual at four.

No. 6 Mario Morgan gave the Mavericks the lead for good when he tallied a 5-4 decision  against Andrew Young at 141. Esai Dominguez, ranked No. 6 at 149, followed that up with a convincing 15-6 major decision over seventh-ranked Latra Collick.

The top-ranked wrestler at 157, Meneely recorded his second pin of the day as he defeated NC’s Sean Byrnes in 4:20. No. 3 Aaron Denson (165) and No. 1 Ross Taplin (174) each won decisions in their respective matches. Denson defeated Brandon Kelly, 6-0, and Taplin topped Josh Whitelock, 7-2.

NC won the final three matches of the championship dual. Brent Pankoke was pinned by Bryant Blanton in 2:35 at 184; Sixth-ranked Keeno Griffin claimed a 2-1 decision upset over the Mavericks’ No. 3 Jacob Marrs at 197; and No. 2 at 285, Cy Wainwright, defeated fourth-ranked Tony Lewis on an injury default.     

The Mavericks return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17 when they host the Brand Open beginning at 9 a.m. at the Sapp Fieldhouse.

Championship

Todd Meneely was named the Division II Most Outstanding Wrestler