Monday Afternoon Sports – Husker Baseball Wins Over Omaha, Loper Wrestling Wins National Title, Nick James & Marc Bauer Comments, Husker Women Matchup with Gonzaga in NCAA Tournament, Whipple Husker Football Comments, Local Sports Schedule

HUSKER BASEBALL NOTCHES HOME OPENER WIN IN FINAL MOMENTS:

The Nebraska baseball team mustered a response Monday afternoon in its home opener.

Griffin Everitt homered twice, the second a go-ahead, two-run shot in the seventh inning, before delivering a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth as the Huskers rallied to beat Omaha 6-5 at Haymarket Park.

After mustering just three hits in Sunday’s 4-3 loss in Omaha, which ended with a walk-off hit from the Mavericks, NU coach Will Bolt described his team as “weak” in responding to adversity, and Nebraska’s players held a team meeting Sunday night.

The results didn’t come immediately on Monday, but there was at least movement in the proper direction.

Nebraska returns to Haymarket Park on Tuesday to take on New Mexico State at 6:30 PM with pregame starting at 6 PM on KGFW. 

UNK WRESTLING BRINGS HOME NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:

The number one-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team picked up its fourth national title in dominating fashion, scoring a program-record 127.0 points, having eight All-Americans and three national finalists. The 127 points is also the most for a national championship winning team in 12 years.

UNK’s point total bests the previous record of 108.50, set in 2007 and in again in 2008. The Lopers placed first that season as well as in 2012 and 2013. This is Dalton Jensen’s first national title as a head coach; he was a member of the 2012 team.

Coming first was super senior Matt Malcom (165 lbs.) with super seniors Josh Portillo (125 lbs.) and Sam Turner (149 lbs.) national runners up. Next, super senior Wesley Dawkins (133 lbs.) and redshirt sophomore Billy Higgins (184 lbs.) came in third with redshirt junior Austin Eldredge fourth (174 lbs.). Finally, former Kearney High Bearcats redshirt junior heavyweight Lee Herrington and redshirt sophomore Nick James (141 lbs.) each finished fifth.

MATT MALCOLM: NATIONAL CHAMPION AND TEAM CHAMPION:

The UNK Wrestling team returned to their storied history with a national championship on Saturday evening, capped off with a terrific feat won by super senior Matt Malcolm, the only 5-time All-American in Loper Wrestling history. 

Malcolm won his national title bout 1-0, and added that the individual accolade was miniscule compared to the team’s accomplishment… 

Malcolm claimed the national championship in his final wrestling match before heading off to become the next head coach at Bellevue East, ending his storied Loper career. 

UNK WRESTLING: NICK JAMES COMMENTS:

JAMES – AWESOME FEELING WITH LOCAL SUPPORT

Former Kearney High Bearcats and current UNK Wrestler Nick James returned home with a team national championship for the fourth time in school history. James adds he couldn’t be happier than to see all the support coming from his hometown… 

James finished 5th in the national tournament along with former Bearcat Lee Herrington also finishing 5th.

JAMES – FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR KEARNEY

Nick James has been a hometown Kearney kid for many years – dominating the mat as a Kearney High Bearcat before heading down the road to UNK to battle at the national tournament for a 5th place finish this season and aiding his team to a team title over the weekend.

James adds that he is indebted to Kearney for the local support… 

James still has three years of wrestling eligibility remaining as a Loper as UNK brought home their fourth national title on Saturday.

UNK WRESTLING: MARC BAUER COMMENTS:

BAUER – MORE TO COME FOR UNK ATHLETICS

UNK Athletic Director Marc Bauer was all smiles at the parade of champions for the UNK Wrestling team on Sunday as the Lopers brought home a national title over the weekend. The former national title winning head coach adds that this is just a microcosm of the success UNK Athletics is having as a whole… 

Bauer led the Lopers to national titles in 2012 and 2013, with this national championship being the first won by Head Coach Dalton Jensen after finishing runner-up last season.

NEBRASKA WOMEN SET IN WICHITA REGION, FACE GONZAGA IN NCAA FIRST ROUND:

The Nebraska women’s basketball team is back in the NCAA Tournament for the 15th time in program history.

The 24-8 Huskers carried a NET ranking of 23 into Sunday evening’s selection show but were handed an 8 seed by the selection committee. Nebraska will play No. 9 seed Gonzaga (26-6, 15-2 WCC) Friday in Louisville, Ky.

If the Huskers win Friday, they will advance to the second round Sunday against the winner of the game between the region’s No. 1 seed, Louisville, and 16th-seeded Albany.

The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds will be played in Wichita. Nebraska has advanced to the Sweet Sixteen twice (2010, 2013) but has yet to make an Elite Eight.

FERGUSON BRINGS HOME NATIONAL TITLE IN 800 METERS:

Fremont redshirt freshman Wes Ferguson used a strong last lap to turn in a 1:50.05 to win the 800-meter national championship Saturday night in Pittsburg, Kan.

In the meet, UNK tallied a program-record seven All-Americans, finished 19th in the team standings (12.5) and was one of five MIAA schools in the Top 20. Grand Valley State of Michigan came in first with 66 points.

Ferguson started strong but some of the competition started to move up halfway through. He then came back to lead the final lap most of the way, holding off Clement Paillon of American (Mass.) International (1:50.46) and Tanner Maier of Minnesota State (1:50.57)

The school-record holder in the event (1:49.47), Ferguson is UNK’s fifth D2 men’s national champ (indoors or outdoors). The others are Ivan Ivanov (’91/steeplechase), Lance Pfeiffer (’06 & ’07/shot put), Dane Tobey (’10/shot) and Allen Osborn (’12/60 hurdles).

Earlier on Saturday, Kearney sophomore Brayden Sorensen tied for seventh in the high jump (6-9.75) to pick up his third All-American honor.

STORM SIGN FORWARD FOR TENDER AGREEMENT:

The Tri-City Storm has announced the signing of forward Trevor Connelly to a tender agreement for the 2022-2023 season. Connelly currently skates for the Long Island Gulls AAA program in Syosset, New York.

Trevor Connelly, 16, of Tustin, California, has skated in fifty-two games during the 2021-2022 season for the Long Island Gulls and has scored thirty-five goals. He has also provided the Gulls offense with twenty-seven assists for sixty-two total points.

NEBRASKA BOYS/GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONS:

BOYS:

CLASS A – Millard North 

CLASS B – Omaha Roncalli 

CLASS C1 – Ashland-Greenwood

CLASS C2 – Humphrey/Lindsay-Holy Family

CLASS D1 – North Platte St. Patrick’s

CLASS D2 – Parkview Christian

GIRLS:

CLASS A – Fremont Tigers

CLASS B – Elkhorn North

CLASS C1 – North Bend Central

CLASS C2 – Hastings St. Cecilia

CLASS D1 – Humphrey/Lindsay-Holy Family

CLASS D2 – Falls City Sacred Heart

TOM BRADY RETURNS TO NFL WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Tom Brady’s retirement lasted 40 days.

Brady said Sunday he is returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd season in the NFL. The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced his decision on Twitter and Instagram, saying he has “unfinished business.”

HUSKER FOOTBALL: PRACTICE COMMENTS

WHIPPLE – QUARTERBACKS ARE LEARNING QUICKLY

Offensive Coordinator of the Huskers Mark Whipple has been pleased with his quarterbacks ability to fight through early adversity in learning the new offense… 

Whipple was referring to transfer quarterback Casey Thompson on his transition to the Big Red. 

WHIPPLE – OFFENSE TERMINOLOGY STILL IN TRANSITION

New Husker offensive coordinator Mark Whipple spoke to the media last week regarding his transition to the Nebraska offense and some of the language that comes with it… 

The Huskers continue to use Scott Frost’s terminology but under the guidance of Mark Whipple’s offensive philosophy. An emphasis on the passing game and downhill running have been the main points of emphasis mentioned by players so far this spring. 

WHIPPLE – THOMPSON EXUDES EXPERIENCE

New Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple spoke with the media last week prior to the Huskers week off of spring practices due to spring break. Whipple spoke on his quarterback battle, but said that Texas transfer Casey Thompson has shown off his experience… 

Thompson has been the talk of spring practices but is still competing with Florida State transfer Chubba Purdy, along with returning Huskers Logan Smothers and Heinrich Haarberg. 

MONDAY SPORTS NIGHTLY SCHEDULE:

Greg Sharpe and the rest of the Sports Nightly crew are joined by Women’s Basketball Head Coach Amy Williams for the final Women’s Basketball show. They will get her thoughts on the Huskers placement in the NCAA Tournament facing off against Gonzaga. 

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

SATURDAY:

• UNK:
• • WOMENS BASKETBALL: NCAA TOURNAMENT (Second Round) – Hays, KS
    • Missouri Western St. v. UNK
      • MWSt 
  • UNK MENS TRACK: @ NCAA Indoor Championships, Pittsburg, KS
    • Men’s 800 Meters – Wes Ferguson, National Champion
  • WRESTLING: @ NCAA Div. 2 Championships
    • UNK = National Champions

MONDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • SOFTBALL: @ NW Missouri State – 2 PM, 4 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • BASEBALL: @ Russmatt Tournament (Auburndale, FL)
    • V. Northwestern College – 9 AM
    • V. Hannibal-Lagrange University – 4 PM

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • WOMENS TENNIS: @ Midwestern State, Wichita Falls TX – 10 AM
  • SOFTBALL: @ Missouri Western State – 12 PM, 2 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • SOFTBALL: @ Tucson Invite
    • V. Dakota State – 10 AM
    • V. Viterbo University – 12:15 PM
    • V. Valley State University – 2:30 PM
  • BASEBALL: @ Russmatt Tournament (Auburndale, FL)
    • V. Hannibal-Lagrange University – 2 PM
    • V. Webber International – 6 PM

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • SOFTBALL: @ Tucson Invite
    • V. Valley State University – 10 AM
    • V. Benedictine University – 2:30 PM

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • BASEBALL: v. Lincoln Southeast – 1 PM
  • GIRLS SOCCER: @ Lincoln Pius X – 5:45 PM
  • BOYS SOCCER: v. Lincoln Pius X – 7 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • BOYS SOCCER: v. York
  • GIRLS SOCCER: v. York
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • SOFTBALL: @ Tucson Invite
    • V. Viterbo University – 10 AM (Doubleheader)

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • T&F: @ UNK Invite
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • T&F: @ UNK Invite
• UNK:
  • SOFTBALL: @ Fairfield Classic (St. Joseph, MO)
    • V. Concordia-St. Paul – 12 PM
    • V. Upper Iowa – 2 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • N/a

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • BOYS SOCCER: Bellevue East Invite
  • GIRLS SOCCER: Bellevue East Invite
  • BASEBALL: @ Fremont – 12 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • WOMENS TENNIS: v. SW Minnesota St. – 9 AM
  • SOFTBALL: @ Fairfield Classic (St. Joseph, MO)
    • V. St. Cloud State – 12 PM
    • V. Winona State – 4 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • BASEBALL: @ Northwestern College – 1 PM (Doubleheader)