On Senior Night the Lopers (10-5, 4-1 RMAC) saw their 26-match win streak over RMAC competition end. Western (15-3-1, 5-1 RMAC) was the last RMAC school to beat UNK, winning 25-19 on Jan. 31st, 2004.

UNK started Saturday's dual already in a 6-0 hole as the team had to forfeit at 133 lbs. But, UNK's Michael Abril pulled an upset at 125 lbs., majoring eight-ranked Eddie Lopez, 9-1.

In winning for the 10th time this year, Abril recorded a takedown and scored three near fall points in the second period to take a commanding 6-0 lead.

At 141 lbs., 3rd-ranked Jeff Rutledgescored a early takedown and went on for a 5-3 victory for the Lopers. Sophomore Ryan Etherton, ranked sixth nationally at 149 lbs., tried to follow in Abril's footsteps and pull an upset.

However, 2nd-ranked Camille DuPont recorded a takedown with 33 seconds left in the match to win 3-1. Last Saturday against Nebraska-Omaha, Etherton fell to top-ranked Todd Meneely by ja 3-2 score.

Senior Joe Ellenberger got UNK back in the win column with a 4-2 decision at 157 lbs. but then top-ranked Zach Lee recorded a win for the Mountaineers at 165 lbs. Recording two takedowns in the third period, Lee beat 8th-ranked Keenan McCurdy, 8-2.

At 174 lbs., 3rd-ranked Marty Usman stormed out to a large lead and went on for a 16-10 win over Skye Wells. The backup to top-ranked Larry Wilbanks, Wells used three takedowns in the final period to stave off a major decision.

Western then secured the dual win with victories by nationally-ranked Lars Lueders (5th/184 lbs.) and Donovan McMahill (6th/197 lbs.). Needing a pin to tie the dual, heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev did everything he could to get Andrew Skinner on his back but, instead, recorded nine takedowns to win 19-7.

Earlier this year at the National Duals, Dlagnev pinned Skinner to help UNK win that dual, 19-18.

Next week, the Lopers are at New Mexico Highlands on Wednesday and 3rd-ranked Adams State on Thursday.

At Kearney

No. 5 Western State 19, No. 4 UNK 17

125 Michael Abril, UNK maj. dec. No. 8 Eddie Lopez, 9-1

133 No. 4 Jesse Cruz, WSC, won by forfeit

141 No. 3 Jeff Rutledge, UNK dec. Kyle Francis, 6-3

149 No. 2 Camille DuPont, WSC dec. No. 6 Ryan Etherton, 3-1

157 No. 2 Joe Ellenberger, UNK dec. Neil Samples, 5-2

165 No. 1 Zach Lee, WSC dec. No. 8 Keenan McCurdy, 8-2

174 No. 3 Marty Usman, UNK dec. Skye Wells, 16-10

184 No. 5 Lars Lueders, WSC dec. Paul Sutton, 8-6

197 No. 6 Donovan McMahill, WSC maj. dec. Derek Ross, 13-3

Hwt. No. 1 Tervel Dlagnev, UNK maj. dec. Andrew Skinner, 19-7