The duo of
Tate Murty and
Chase Luensman each went 2-0 on day one of the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Park, City Kan. and advanced to the semifinals on Saturday. The senior crew earned All-American status while guaranteeing a finish in the top six. Each of them earned eight team points, putting Upper Iowa in 11
th overall with 16 total points.
Murty and Luensman are both receiving All-American honors for the third time in their career. The 141-pounder saw his highest finish of 6
th place in 2021, while the 165-pounder is coming off a national title just last season in 2023.
In the opening round, Murty defeated Ethan Leake (Chadron State) by decision (11-6). He then advanced to the quarterfinals where he pulled off the upset against the number-two ranked Hunter Burnett (Augustana) by decision (6-5) in a tight match. Murty held the one-point advantage and was able to hold off the ferocity of Burnett until time had expired.
In the 165-weight class, Luensman handled business on the mat today as his opening round victory was against Kaden Hart (Nebraska-Kearney) in a 10-3 decision. In the quarterfinals, he trumped the number-seven seeded Anthony Herrera (St. Cloud State) in a 7-3 decision.
Murty is set to face off against number-six seeded Nick James of Nebraska Kearney. The pair went head-to-head at the NWCA Duals earlier this season, where Murty trumped James in an 8-7 decision.
Luensman will battle a familiar face in the number-three seeded Cory Peterson from McKendree. The last time these two met was back during a GLVC dual in Lebanon, Ill. last month, where Peterson edged out Luensman in a 4-3 decision.
Competition begins tomorrow at the Hartman Arena at 10 a.m. See the links attached with this story for brackets, tickets and a livestream.
(141) Tate Murty (23-7) scored 8.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 - Tate Murty (Upper Iowa) 23-7 won by decision over Ethan Leake (Chadron State) 18-7 (Dec 11-6)
- Quarterfinal - Tate Murty (Upper Iowa) 23-7 won by decision over Hunter Burnett (Augustana (SD)) 15-2 (Dec 6-5)
(165) Chase Luensman (25-5) scored 8.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 - Chase Luensman (Upper Iowa) 25-5 won by decision over Kaden Hart (Nebraska-Kearney) 16-7 (Dec 10-3)
- Quarterfinal - Chase Luensman (Upper Iowa) 25-5 won by decision over Anthony Herrera (St. Cloud State) 17-5 (Dec 7-3)
