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The No. 2-ranked University of Minnesota wrestling team improved its overall record to 16-2 after a defeat of the fourth-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers 22-9 in Lincoln, Neb.
Minnesota began the afternoon with a 16-2 major decision victory for senior Tim Hartung over Scott Munson at 197 pounds. Hartung is now 29-0 on the season. At heavyweight, junior Brock Lesnar, ranked No. 2 in the nation, decisioned J.R. Phenis 7-5. Freshman Leroy Vega lost a close 7-5 decision to No. 6-ranked Paul Gomez at 125 pounds.
Senior Bart Golyer won a tough match over Todd Beckerman with a 3-1 decision at 133 pounds. Freshman Chad Erikson, ranked 11th in the nation, also lost a close 5-3 decision to Jose DeAnda. Senior Troy Marr put the Golden Gophers back on track with a 6-2 decision over 13th-ranked Joe Henson at 149 pounds. Senior Chad Kraft, ranked No. 1 in the nation, defeated Bryan Snyder 4-2 at 157 pounds.
Sixth-ranked Josh Holiday decisioned Zach Dominquez 12-7 at 165 pounds to add three more points for Minnesota. Freshman Matt Kraft won a very close 6-5 decision over Charles McTorry at 174 pounds. In the final match of the afternoon, No. 1-ranked Brandon Eggum and No. 8-ranked Brad Vering wrestled to a 1-1 tie. After two overtime sessions, Verging earned the win and three points to make the final score 22-9.
Minnesota is now 16-2 overall and still undefeated in the Big Ten at 7-0. The Golden Gophers will travel to West Lafayette, Ind., Friday to face the Purdue Boilermakers at 7 p.m. and then will wrestle Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Sunday at 7 p.m.