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3 Takes: Nebraska wrestling wins fourth straight Navy Classic

by: Bobby Schneider11 hours agobschneider33
Antrell-Taylor-flexing
Nebraska wrestler Antrell Taylor. (Photo by Nebraska Athletics)

No. 2-ranked Nebraska wrestling opened its season with a bang at the Navy Classic, taking first place among 10 teams for the fourth straight year. The Huskers impressed, with five of their six finalists winning their divisions. Last season may have been one of NU’s best overall seasons, yet head coach Mark Manning may have an even better one in store for 2025-26.

Here are three takeaways following Nebraska’s dominant showing:

Upperclassmen in midseason form

The three upperclassmen All-Americans picked up right where they left off last season for their 2025-26 campaigns. Antrell Taylor kick-started his national title defense, dominating each of his four opponents. In fact, the 157-pound junior combined to outscore his opponents 46-8, which included a first-round pin, followed by a second-round technical fall.

Meanwhile, Brock Hardy controlled his first three bouts before a dogfight finale. The three-time All-American scored all four of the winning points in the second period to bring the 141-pound championship home. Bucknell’s Dylan Chappell hit a late takedown with 12 seconds remaining in the third period, but Hardy’s strong second period came in clutch.

Finally, senior Silas Allred swept his four opponents in the 184-pound division. Allred commanded a whopping 44-13 margin over the four bouts. It may have been only the first matches of the season, but the veteran contributors appear to be already rolling.

Rising stars

Although Nebraska’s three upperclassmen were expected to finish at the top, four others proved to be legitimate scorers. LJ Arajuo and Christopher Minto each made statements, winning each of their respective classes.

Arajuo, a 165-pound redshirt freshman, put everyone on notice after upsetting No. 1 seed Evan Magg in the quarter-finals. That upset was all the confidence he needed, outscoring his final two opponents 13-2.

While Arajuo’s outing was exceptional, Minto may have one-upped his teammate. With the 174-pound division full of All-Americans, the sophomore dethroned each top dog. In fact, Minto took down No. 6-ranked Danny Wask of Navy convincingly 11-3 in the final.

If Arajo and Minto can contribute points to this magnitude regularly, the Huskers will be a tough team to take down.

Resilience on display

Camden McDanel and Jacob Van Dee each posted respectable performances. However, both came up short. After winning his first three matches to get to the finals, McDanel got crushed 20-4 by Pittsburgh’s Mac Stout.

At the same time, Stout is ranked the No. 4-overall 197-pound wrestler. McDanel wasn’t an All-American last season for nothing, and a loss sounding loss like that may benefit the sophomore long term.

After a 32-3 margin of victory through two rounds, Van Dee came up just short in the semi-finals to American College’s Raymond Lopez. However, he finished strong following a 10-3 decision over Pittsburgh’s Evan Tallmadge to secure third place at 133 pounds.

Meanwhile, heavyweight Harley Andrews lost his first bout in the round of 16. However, the 285-pound junior won his final three matches to finish fifth place in the heavyweight division. Andrews dominated the consolation bracket, outscoring the opposition 34-5, which included shutouts in the final two rounds.

Other Results

***Sophomore Alan Koehler went 2-2 in the 125-pound division.

***Senior Blake Cushing went 1-2 in the 141-pound division.

***Junior Hayden Mills finished in fifth place in the 133-pound division after Morgan State forfeited the final match.

***Redshirt freshman Kael Lauridsen also finished in fifth place in the 125-pound division.

Lauridsen lost his first bout but won his final five to score six points for the Big Red.

***Freshman Nikade Zinkin went 1-2, and his one win was over sophomore teammate Scott Robertson in the 149-pound division.

Robertson lost each of his two bouts.

***Freshman Tyler Eise went 2-2 to finish sixth place and score NU four points.

Nebraska now looks ahead to its home-opening dual against Army on Friday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. CT at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Matches will stream on B1G+.

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