KEARNEY, Neb. – As the NCAA Division-II National Championships commenced, MSU-Moorhead’s Corey Ulmer and Brady Schneeberger looked to make a run at 125 pounds and 141 pounds, respectively. At days end, Schneeberger’s run came to an end while Ulmer advances to the second day of the tournament.
Schneeberger opened up against the hometown Nebraska-Kearney 141-pounder Dalton Jensen. Jensen got on the offensive early on with a quick takedown and a two-point nearfall. Schneeberger found himself having to work out of a 5-0 deficit entering the third period. A quick takedown would not yield any further points as Schneeberger fell 2-5 in his first match.
Schneeberger took the early advantage in his second match against Kyle Kanaga of Ashland (Ohio). Schneeberger jumped out to a 4-0 advantage with a takedown in the first period and a reversal in the second.
Kanaga returned with six straight points from a pair of escapes and a pair of takedowns. Schneeberger could not get the tying escape and fell by a final of 6-5. Schneeberger ends his day 0-2 and finishes his final season with a 12-13 record.
Corey Ulmer met up with John McDonald of Newberry (S.C.) in his first match of the day. McDonald showed why he was one of the top ranked 125-pounders in the nation, winning 11-0. Following the opening round, Ulmer moved passed Madison Gambrell of Grand Canyon (Ariz.) when Gambrell took a medical forfeit.
Ulmer then set his sights on Gerald Huff of Adams State (Colo.), fighting for his chance to move on in the tournament. Ulmer was forced to come from behind after Huff gained a two-point nearfall, while Ulmer cut the lead in half with a last second escape.
In the third, Huff pushed his lead back to two with an escape of his own. Ulmer got the much-needed takedown to take the match into overtime. Knowing his season hung in the balance, Ulmer gained another takedown in overtime to advance to the third round of the third place championships.
There, Ulmer will face off against the only wrestler to meet him during his impressive win streak from Nov. 20 until Feb. 27, Russell Weakley of North Carolina-Pembroke. Weakley escaped with a 5-4 win at the National Duals on Jan. 8 over Ulmer.
The third session is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., which includes all third place championship bracket matches.