The Nebraska wrestling squad aims to build on their 2023 Cliff Keen second-place finish at this year’s Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas. This two-day event features 31 teams, including five ranked in the top-10. Ridge Lovett (149) intends to defend his championship title after claiming his weight category last year and contributing to the […]
The Nebraska wrestling squad aims to build on their 2023 Cliff Keen second-place finish at this year’s Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas. This two-day event features 31 teams, including five ranked in the top-10. Ridge Lovett (149) intends to defend his championship title after claiming his weight category last year and contributing to the Big Red’s 125.5 team points and runner-up finish.
This year, NU will feature nine wrestlers at the invitational, commencing on Friday, Dec. 6, starting at 11 a.m. (CT). The championship finals are set to begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. The tournament will adopt a bracket structure, including consolation rounds, for each weight division.
The No. 3 Huskers will have opportunities to compete against wrestlers from No. 4 Oklahoma State, No. 5 Oklahoma, No. 8 South Dakota State, and No. 9 Michigan. Over 130 nationally ranked wrestlers are entered into the competition.
Live streaming and live stats will be provided on FloWrestling (subscription needed). Fans can also keep up with @HuskerWrestling on Twitter for real-time updates during the tournament.
Last Time Out: For the third consecutive season, the Huskers clinched the Navy Classic title in Maryland. The Big Red finished in first place out of 13 teams with a tally of 150 points and captured individual championships in five weight classes.
Up Next: NU will head back home for a triangular on Friday, Dec. 20. Following the neutral match, the Big Red will take on Augustana at 6 p.m., followed by a contest against UN-Kearney. The match will be available for streaming on Big Ten Plus.
Nebraska’s Projected Lineup
125: No. 2 Caleb Smith
133: No. 22 Jacob Van Dee
141: No. 4 Brock Hardy
149: No. 5 Ridge Lovett
157: No. 3 Antrell Taylor
165: No. 20 Bubba Wilson
174: No. 10 Lenny Pinto
197: No. 26 Camden McDanel
HWT: Harley Andrews
Husker History at the Cliff Keen Invite: Nebraska has participated in the Las Vegas Invitational a total of 28 times, securing first place in 2003, 2008, 2019, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, the Big Red has achieved second place six times: 1992, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2013, and 2023.
Last Time at Cliff Keen (Dec. 2023): Two Huskers won individual championships, allowing NU to achieve its sixth runner-up finish. Ridge Lovett (149) and Peyton Robb (157) topped their weight classes, leading to the team’s second-place finish.
Huskers Head to FHSU Bob Smith Open: Huskers participating in the FHSU Bob Smith Open will commence their bouts on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m. (CT). The open tournament, organized by Fort Hayes State University, will be streamed on FloWrestling.