Zerban Named Black Knight Invitational Outstanding Wrestler

Sunday, November 19

West Point, N.Y.

8 a.m.

University of Northern Colorado

Black Knight Invitational

11/19/2023 5:05:00 PM | Wrestling

Six Bears Place at Black Knight Invitational

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Northern Colorado wrapped up its weekend in New York by collecting hardware at the Black Knight Invitational Sunday.

Vincent Zerban won the title at 157 pounds and collected the Black Knight Invitational Outstanding Wrestler.

Xavier Doolin earned a fourth-place result, while Dominck Serrano and Branson Britten earned fifth-place finishes. Benji Alainis and Franklin Cruz took home sixth.

133: Dominick Serrano finished fifth, posting a 4-1 record, including two technical falls and a sudden victory.

149: Benji Alanis placed sixth after claiming victories in three of his five matches.

157: Vincent Zerban – ranked 14th by Intermat – won the 157-pound title, with a 4-0 mark. He collected two technical falls and a pinfall on his way to earning the Black Knight Invitational Outstanding Wrestler award.

184: Branson Britten fell in the quarterfinals in a sudden victory, before wrestling back to a fifth-place result. He tallied four wins in five matches, including a pair of major decisions and a pinfall.

197: Franklin Cruz inked a 3-2 mark, collecting sixth-place hardware. His victories occurred by major decision and a pinfall.

285: Xavier Doolin earned a fourth-place finish, with three wins on his ledger. He opened with back-to-back major decisions.

UNC HEAD COACH POSTMATCH QUOTES
"Overall, it was a good day," head coach Troy Nickerson said. "I saw a lot of positives and things we can learn from. Zerban showed he has jumped a level this year, tech falling Nate Lukez from Army, an opponent he closely beat at NCAA's last season. He also picked up a to-12 win in the finals."

UP NEXT
The Bears return to the mat at the Cougar Clash - hosted by SIUE - Dec. 2.

NEXT HOME MATCH
UNC returns to The Bank at 1 p.m. in the Big 12 opener against West Virginia. To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the C-campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.