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Jan. 17, 2004

Laramie, Wyo. - The Wyoming Cowboys suffered a 33-9 defeat to No. 2 ranked Nebraska in their first home dual of the season Saturday night at the Multipurpose Gym in Laramie, Wyo. The Huskers won seven of ten matches on the night, two by pin. Nebraska improves to 15-1 on the season, while the Pokes move to 2-3 in dual competition.

The Cowboys started the dual in dramatic fashion as UW sophomore Bryce Leonhardt faced off against Jason Powell of Nebraska, ranked No. 1 in the nation at 125 pounds. Powell held a 1-0 lead into the third period before being penalized for stalling tieing the match with only seconds remaining. Leonhardt then scored the only takedown of the match as time expired to win 3-1, giving the Pokes an early 3-0 lead. The victory improves Leonhardt's season record to 14-3 and hands Powell his first loss of the season.

Nebraska would win the next three matches to take a 15-3 lead. Nebraska's Joey Malia pinned UW's Tyson Shatto in the 133 pound bout at 1:34. Cowboy senior Blake Gunter came up short against No. 11 Matt Murray of Nebraska 5-1 at 141 pounds and in the 149 pound match No. 3 Travis Shufelt handled Patrick Shuler of Wyoming by pin in 4:38.

Wyoming's Andrew Shuler would claim the second Cowboy match victory in the 157 pound bout. The Madison Heights, Va., native defeated No. 12 ranked B.J. Wright of Nebraska 5-1. Shuler recorded a takedown in the first period, a reversal in the third period and secured the time advantage to cut the Husker lead to 15-6. The win marks Shuler's fifth straight victory and improves his team leading record to 18-5.

The Huskers claimed victories in the next four matches to take a 33-6 lead. NU's Jacob Klein defeated UW senior Trevor Murray by a 12-3 major decision at 165 pounds. In the 174 pound match Jason High handled Wyoming's Josh Prevost taking the match by pin in 4:20. Nebraska's No. 3 ranked Travis Pascoe was too much for Cowboy sophomore Sam Wendland claiming a 23-7 technical fall victory for the Huskers at 184 pounds and No. 2 ranked BJ Padden of Nebraska then defeated Malcolm Havens of Wyoming by a 16-8 major decision in the 197 pound dual.

Wyoming heavyweight Dusty Hoffschneider would close out the contest with the Cowboys third match win of the night. Hoffschneider upset No. 12 ranked Nathan McClain of Nebraska scoring three takedowns in the bout muscling his way to a 7-3 victory. The match proved to be the most exciting of the night as Hoffschneider overpowered McClain in the final period scoring two takedowns en route his third victory of the season. However, the Huskers prevailed with a 33-9 dual victory.

"We had three guys who picked up three big wins tonight," said UW head wrestling coach Steven Suder. "I have always said that Bryce Leonhardt can match up with anybody in the country and he proved that tonight."

"Dusty Hoffschneider is a new guy that we haven't seen wrestle too much, but when a guy is purple in the face like he was in the first period and then pulls it out in the end you know the kid has a lot of heart and we are all proud of him."

"Andrew Shuler wrestled a great match tonight. He wrestled a match he was capable of and has been capable of for some time. He stayed focussed and was able to come through in the end and that is what we are expecting of him."

The Cowboys will be back in action next Saturday (Jan. 24) when the host the Cowboy Duals in the Multipurpuse Gym. Matches are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.