Six Huskers Ranked Top 10 Headed into the Postseason

Led by top-ranked Eric Schultz, the No. 3 Nebraska wrestling team boasts six grapplers rated top 10 nationally across major Division I rankings as it heads into the postseason.

Schultz holds on to his No. 1 ranking and remains in the top spot in the latest NCAA coaches rankings. The senior finished the 2020-21 campaign undefeated to extend his regular-season dual win streak to 12 matches over two seasons.

Mikey Labriola follows Schultz at No. 2 in the nation heading into this week’s Big Ten Championships. Labriola also earned an unblemished record this season through eight duals. He finished the 2020-21 dual campaign with 31 dual points for Nebraska, earning four major decisions and one fall on the year.  

Ranking as high as fourth at 141 pounds by Trackwrestling and FloWrestling, Chad Red Jr. comes in at fifth in the second NCAA coaches rankings. Red Jr. finished the regular season 7-1 in duals, finishing the campaign on a six-match win streak that included a last-second 4-3 victory at Illinois in Nebraska’s final dual.   

Liam Cronin’s highest ranking of the week has Trackwrestling tabbing him at No. 6 nationally at 125 pounds. Cronin also ranks in the top 10 by InterMat and FloWrestling. The senior earned a 7-1 dual record this season with two wins over ranked opponents.

Christian Lance enters the Big Ten Championships ranked No. 8 at heavyweight by Trackwrestling. Lance went 5-3 in duals on the year, including a critical victory against Wisconsin’s then-ranked No. 7 Trent Hillger to secure the Huskers’ win over the Badgers on Jan. 31.

Taylor Venz rounds out the Huskers in the top 10, ranking as high as tenth in the second NCAA coaches rankings. Venz closed the regular season with a major decision win over Illinois’ then-ranked No. 14 Zac Braunagel to finish the year 3-2 in duals.

Also earning rankings this week are Tucker Sjomeling, Ridge Lovett and Peyton Robb. Lovett, who ranks tenth at 149 pounds by Trackwrestling, burst into the national rankings after a technical fall win over Illinois’ Danny Pucino in the regular season finale. Robb (165 pounds) holds steady at No. 18 across numerous rankings, including the latest NCAA coaches ranking. Sjomeling comes in at No. 33 nationally by Trackwrestling at 133 pounds after finishing the regular season 3-3 overall.

Huskers in the Rankings

Wt.     Name                InterMat     Track       Flo     

125     Liam Cronin           #8            #6         #7

133     Tucker Sjomeling  NR           #33       NR

141     Chad Red Jr.         #8            #4         #4

149     Ridge Lovett         #19          #10       #21

165     Peyton Robb        #19          #18        #19

174     Mikey Labriola       #2            #2         #2

184     Taylor Venz           #14          #18       #15

197     Eric Schultz           #1            #1         #2

285     Christian Lance     #12          #8         #12