University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, November 26
Greeley, CO
2:00 p.m.
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Iowa State University
@UNCBearsWrestle Opens Big 12 Dual Season with No. 24 Iowa State
11/23/2016 1:41:00 PM | Wrestling
Greeley, Colo. – Head Coach Troy Nickerson and the Northern Colorado wrestling team have another Top 25 opponent this week as they open their Big 12 dual season with No. 24 Iowa State University, Saturday, Nov. 26.
UNC will begin the Big 12 dual season against Iowa State at the Bank of Colorado Arena at 2:00 p.m. (MT). This will be the first time in school history the Bears have wrestled against the Cyclones in a dual, and the stakes could not be any higher. The Cyclones boast a lineup with four wrestlers ranked Top 20 in the nation, two of which are also Top 10.
Not only is this the Bears' first Big 12 dual of the season, it is also the old stomping grounds of Head Coach Troy Nickerson. Prior to becoming Head Coach at UNC, Nickerson was the head assistant coach at Iowa State, helping bring in two Top 10 recruiting classes, as well as coaching three NCAA All-Americans, and ten NCAA qualifiers.
When asked about the dual, Nickerson stated, "This is another great opportunity for our guys to go out there and face high level competition and see where we stand in the Big 12. Iowa State is a very talented and well-coached wrestling team, so it is imperative our team comes in with a chip on our shoulders. We have some marquee matchups slated for Saturday afternoon, and I am excited to see how we compete."
The Bears will look to take advantage of those marquee matchups Coach Nickerson alluded to, and aim to come out victorious. Northern Colorado is more than capable of competing with Top 25 teams, as only two weeks ago they fell to now, No. 19 Arizona State 24-19. UNC held a commanding 15-3 lead during the dual against the Sun Devils, before watching that lead slowly dissipate as the dual went on.
Northern Colorado looked good coming off its first three competitions thus far, and plan to keep that momentum rolling into Saturday. Rico Montoya (133) and Dylan Gabel (184) are both riding win streaks of seven and four matches, and want to keep those unblemished against the Cyclones. In addition, the weight class switch of Timmy Box (141) and Ben Polkowske (149) continues to pay dividends, as they have a combined record of 19-4 to start the year.
The fans and staff are very excited to see what the Bears will bring to the table this Saturday afternoon, and expect a large crowd for the Big 12 home opener at the Bank of Colorado Arena. For those fans that cannot be in attendance, the live stream link is provided below:
https://eversport.tv/big-12/wrestling/2016/11/26/iowa-state-at-northern-colorado
For more information on the Bears this season, visit UNCBears.com, check out the official Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter at @UNCBearsWrestle.
UNC will begin the Big 12 dual season against Iowa State at the Bank of Colorado Arena at 2:00 p.m. (MT). This will be the first time in school history the Bears have wrestled against the Cyclones in a dual, and the stakes could not be any higher. The Cyclones boast a lineup with four wrestlers ranked Top 20 in the nation, two of which are also Top 10.
Not only is this the Bears' first Big 12 dual of the season, it is also the old stomping grounds of Head Coach Troy Nickerson. Prior to becoming Head Coach at UNC, Nickerson was the head assistant coach at Iowa State, helping bring in two Top 10 recruiting classes, as well as coaching three NCAA All-Americans, and ten NCAA qualifiers.
When asked about the dual, Nickerson stated, "This is another great opportunity for our guys to go out there and face high level competition and see where we stand in the Big 12. Iowa State is a very talented and well-coached wrestling team, so it is imperative our team comes in with a chip on our shoulders. We have some marquee matchups slated for Saturday afternoon, and I am excited to see how we compete."
The Bears will look to take advantage of those marquee matchups Coach Nickerson alluded to, and aim to come out victorious. Northern Colorado is more than capable of competing with Top 25 teams, as only two weeks ago they fell to now, No. 19 Arizona State 24-19. UNC held a commanding 15-3 lead during the dual against the Sun Devils, before watching that lead slowly dissipate as the dual went on.
Northern Colorado looked good coming off its first three competitions thus far, and plan to keep that momentum rolling into Saturday. Rico Montoya (133) and Dylan Gabel (184) are both riding win streaks of seven and four matches, and want to keep those unblemished against the Cyclones. In addition, the weight class switch of Timmy Box (141) and Ben Polkowske (149) continues to pay dividends, as they have a combined record of 19-4 to start the year.
The fans and staff are very excited to see what the Bears will bring to the table this Saturday afternoon, and expect a large crowd for the Big 12 home opener at the Bank of Colorado Arena. For those fans that cannot be in attendance, the live stream link is provided below:
https://eversport.tv/big-12/wrestling/2016/11/26/iowa-state-at-northern-colorado
For more information on the Bears this season, visit UNCBears.com, check out the official Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter at @UNCBearsWrestle.
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