Husker notes: Nebraska secures third-place finish at 2026 NCAA championships
By NU Athletic Communications
By News Channel NebraskaAntrell Taylor (157) and Christopher Minto (174) each finished as runner-ups at the 2026 NCAA Championships, helping the Nebraska wrestling team secure a third-place finish with 100.5 points. NU recorded the second-highest point total in program history and its first-ever back-to-back top-three team finish. This also marks the program’s first consecutive top-five team finish since 2008-09.
The Big Red collected seven All-American honors, including five semifinalists and two finalists. With Taylor and Minto as runner-ups, Nebraska has now produced multiple finalists in back-to-back NCAA Championships for the first time.
The Huskers’ third-place finish ties for the second-best team result in program history, matching the 1993 squad that produced six All-Americans, two champions (Tony Purler and Corey Olson) and 79.5 points.
No. 2 Antrell Taylor, the 2025 NCAA champion, returned to the finals for the second consecutive year, facing No. 5 Landon Robideau. After a scoreless first period, Robideau took a 2-0 lead with nearfall points. Taylor added an escape in the second, but ultimately fell 4-2, finishing the season 26-4 with 13 bonus-point wins and earning All-American status for the third straight year.
In the 174 championship bout, No. 3 Christopher Minto faced undefeated No. 1 Levi Haines for the third time this season. Tied 0-0 through the first period, Haines collected an escape and a penalty point in the second. Minto added an escape in the third, but it wasn't enough as Haines claimed a 2-1 victory. Minto finished the season 24-6 as an NCAA runner-up.
Day three began with the consolation semifinals, where No. 20 Chance Lamer opened the morning for the Huskers with a rematch against reigning ACC champion No. 4 Collin Gaj (VT). The lowest-seeded All-American in the tournament upset Gaj 4-2 for the second time this postseason, marking Lamer’s 70th career victory and advancing him to the third-place match as the No. 20 seed. In the final bout of his collegiate career, Lamer fell 10-5 to No. 11 Lachlan McNeil (MICH), finishing fourth. Lamer concluded a remarkable NCAA tournament run, upsetting four top-15 seeds, earning his first All-American honor, and placing fourth at 149.
No. 3 Brock Hardy advanced to the third-place match after No. 4 Anthony Echemendia (ISU) medically forfeited the consolation semifinal. Hardy then faced No. 5 Luke Stanich (LEH) but fell 7-2 to finish fourth. The senior closed his historic Husker career as a four-time All-American, 2025 Big Ten Champion and NCAA finalist. Hardy finished with a 111-31 career record, ranking 16th in Nebraska history in career wins, just behind Gary Albright (1981-86: 112-19-4) and Aaron Studebaker (2013-17 - 112-38-0).
No. 11 Camden McDanel competed in the consolation semifinals against No. 5 Joey Novak (WYO), scoring the bout’s first takedown before falling 7-3. The Ohio native bounced back in the fifth-place match, defeating No. 9 Angelo Posada (STAN) 13-6 to secure fifth, matching his finish at last year’s NCAA Championships.
In the seventh-place bout, No. 13 Jacob Van Dee took on reigning NCAA champion No. 7 Lucas Byrd. Byrd struck first with takedown and an escape, but Van Dee answered with his own takedown and escape to tie the match 4-4, sending it to sudden victory. The bout moved to tiebreakers, where Van Dee secured a reversal to win 6-5, earning his second consecutive seventh-place finish at the NCAA Championships. At heavyweight, No. 4 AJ Ferrari medically forfeited both placement matches, finishing sixth.
Nebraska’s final podiums featured two runner-ups, two fourth-place finishes and one each in fifth, sixth and seventh. With seven Huskers earning podium spots the program has not had five or more All-Americans for the third consecutive year.
Final Team Standings
Penn State (181.5)
Oklahoma State (131)
Nebraska (100.5)
Iowa (92.5)
Ohio State (84.5)
Stanford (67.5)
Michigan (66)
Iowa State (52)
Minnesota (48.5)
NC State (44.5)
125: No. 25 Kael Lauridsen DNP (1-2)
First Round: No. 8 Dean Peterson (IOWA) major dec. No. 25 Kael Lauridsen (NEB) 9-1
Cons. Round 1: No. 25 Kael Lauridsen (NEB) dec. No. 24 Ayden Smith (RUT) 5-1
Cons. Round 2: No. 7 Nico Provo (STAN) major dec. No. 25 Kael Lauridsen (NEB) 16-4
133: No. 13 Jacob Van Dee 7th (5-2) All-American
First Round: No. 20 Julian Farber (UNI) dec. No. 13 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) 5-4
Cons. Round 1: No. 13 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) dec. No. 29 Luke Willochell (WYO) SV-1 10-7
Cons. Round 2: No. 13 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) dec. No. 19 Gage Walker (MIZZ) 4-2
Cons. Round 3: No. 13 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) major dec. No. 28 Garrett Grice (ISU) 12-1
Cons. Round 4: No. 13 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) dec. No. 8 Markel Baker (NIU) 2-1
Cons. Round 5: No. 15 Tyler Knox (STAN) dec. No. 13 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) 6-3
7th Place Match: No. 13 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) dec. No. 7 Lucas Byrd (ILL) TB-1 6-5
141: No. 3 Brock Hardy 4th (4-2) All-American
First Round: No. 3 Brock Hardy (NEB) tech. fall No. 30 Dario Lemus (MD) (5:47) 18-1
Second Round: No. 3 Brock Hardy (NEB) dec. No. 14 Braeden Davis (PSU) 9-4
Quarterfinal: No. 3 Brock Hardy (NEB) dec. No. 6 Vince Cornella (COR) 5-3
Semifinal: No. 2 Sergio Vega (OKST) dec. No. 3 Brock Hardy (NEB) 5-3
Cons. Semi: No. 3 Brock Hardy (NEB) over No. 4 Anthony Echemendia (ISU) MFFL
3rd Place Match: No. 5 Luke Stanich (LEH) dec. No. 3 Brock Hardy (NEB) 7-2
149: No. 20 Chance Lamer 4th (4-2) All-American
First Round: No. 20 Chance Lamer (NEB) dec. No. 13 Joseph Zargo (WIS) 4-1
Second Round: No. 20 Chance Lamer (NEB) dec. No. 4 Collin Gaj (VT) 3-1
Quarterfinal: No. 20 Chance Lamer (NEB) major dec. No. 12 Carter Young (MD) 12-0
Semifinal: No. 1 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) tech. fall No. 20 Chance Lamer (NEB) (5:21) 22-1
Cons. Semi: No. 20 Chance Lamer (NEB) dec. No. 4 Collin Gaj (VT) 4-2
3rd Place Match: No. 11 Lachlan McNeil (MICH) dec. No. 20 Chance Lamer (NEB) 10-5
157: No. 2 Antrell Taylor 2nd (4-1) All-American
First Round: No. 2 Antrell Taylor (NEB) tech fall. No. 31 Garrett McChesney (EDIN) (5:31) 19-4
Second Round: No. 2 Antrell Taylor (NEB) dec. No. 15 Cameron Catrabone (MICH) 5-3
Quarterfinal: No. 2 Antrell Taylor (NEB) dec. No. 7 Kannon Webster (ILL) 5-2
Semifinal: No. 2 Antrell Taylor (NEB) dec. No. 11 Ty Watters (WVU) 4-2
1st Place Match: No. 5 Landon Robideau (OKST) dec. No. 2 Antrell Taylor (NEB) 4-2
165: No. 6 LJ Araujo DNP (1-2)
First Round: No. 27 EJ Parco (STAN) dec. No. 6 LJ Araujo (NEB) 8-7
Cons. Round 1: No. 6 LJ Araujo (NEB) tech. fall No. 22 Matthew Olguin (ORST) (5:51) 16-0
Cons. Round 2: No. 5 LaDarion Lockett (OKST) dec. No. 6 LJ Araujo (NEB) TB-1 8-3
174: No. 3 Christopher Minto 2nd (4-1) All-American
First Round: No. 3 Christopher Minto (NEB) tech. fall No. 30 Riley Davis (WYO) (6:05) 20-4
Second Round: No. 3 Christopher Minto (NEB) major dec. No. 19 Logan Messer (GMU) 11-3
Quarterfinal: No. 3 Christopher Minto (NEB) major dec. No. 11 MJ Gaitan (ISU) 11-3
Semifinal: No. 3 Christopher Minto (NEB) dec. No. 7 Cam Steed (MIZZ) 5-1
1st Place Match: No. 1 Levi Haines (PSU) dec. No. 3 Christopher Minto (NEB) 2-1
184: No. 8 Silas Allred DNP (2-2)
First Round: No. 8 Silas Allred (NEB) dec. No. 25 Malachi DuVall (GMU) 3-1
Second Round: No. 8 Silas Allred (NEB) major dec. No. 9 Chris Moore (ILL) 15-5
Quarterfinal: No. 1 Rocco Welsh (PSU) injury def. No. 8 Silas Allred (NEB) (5:11) 7-1
Cons. Round 4: No. 22 Zack Ryder (OKST) over No. 8 Silas Allred (NEB) (MFFL)
197: No. 11 Camden McDanel 5th (5-2) All-American
First Round: No. 11 Camden McDanel (NEB) dec. No. 22 Devin Wasley (NDSU) 7-2
Second Round: No. 11 Camden McDanel (NEB) major dec. No. 6 Justin Rademacher (ORST) 13-5
Quarterfinal: No. 3 Stephen Little (LR) dec. No. 11 Camden McDanel SV-1 4-1
Cons. Round 4: No. 11 Camden McDanel (NEB) dec. No. 18 Andrew Reall (BRWN) 4-2
Cons. Round 5: No. 11 Camden McDanel (NEB) dec. No. 27 Gabe Arnold (IOWA) 4-2
Cons. Semi: No. 5 Joey Novak (WYO) dec. No. 11 Camden McDanel (NEB) 7-3
5th Place Match: No. 11 Camden McDanel (NEB) dec. No. 9 Angelo Posada (STAN) 13-6
HWT: No. 4 AJ Ferrari 6th (3-3) All-American
First Round: No. 4 AJ Ferrari (NEB) tech. fall No. 29 Luke Rasmussen (SDSU) (6:01) 17-2
Second Round: No. 4 AJ Ferrari (NEB) major dec. No. 20 Dayton Pitzer (PITT) 12-0
Quarterfinal: No. 4 AJ Ferrari (NEB) dec. No. 21 Juan Mora (OKST) 4-3
Semifinals: No. 1 Yonger Bastida (ISU) major dec. No. 4 AJ Ferrari (NEB) 15-7
Cons. Semi: No. 7 Konner Doucet (OKST) over No. 4 AJ Ferrari (NEB) MFFL
5th Place Match: No. 8 Ben Kueter (IOWA) over No. 4 AJ Ferrari (NEB) MFFL
Carey, Jasa Lead Huskers to Run-Rule Victory
Dylan Carey went 3-for-3 and drove in four runs and Carson Jasa totaled eight strikeouts in six shutout innings, as the Huskers evened the series with a 10-0 run-rule victory in seven innings at Michigan on Saturday afternoon.
Nebraska (17-6, 4-1 Big Ten) scored 10 runs on 14 hits, while Michigan (11-10, 1-4 Big Ten) was held without a run on eight hits and an error.
Carey’s three-hit performance headlined a balanced Husker offensive effort that saw nine players record a hit. Miken Miller went 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBI, and Drew Grego finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Jett Buck went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, and Rhett Stokes was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Case Sanderson added two hits and two runs scored, while Mac Moyer and Jeter Worthley had one hit each.
Jasa improved to 4-1 on the season, striking out eight batters across six shutout frames while allowing six hits and a walk. Chase Olson finished the game with a scoreless seventh to preserve the combined shutout.
Nebraska got on the board early in the first when Moyer walked and Sanderson drew a four-pitch walk before a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Carey lined a single to left field to plate both and give the Huskers a 2-0 lead.
The Big Red added three more in the third. Buck singled and Carey singled to left-center field to put runners on the corners before Miller lifted a sacrifice fly to score Buck. Grego doubled down the left-field line to put runners on second and third.
Stokes reached on an RBI fielder’s choice that plated Carey, while a throwing error on Stokes’ steal of second base allowed Grego to trot home from third to give the Big Red a 5-0 advantage through three innings.
Nebraska biggest inning came in the fourth, when the Huskers sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs. Sanderson and Buck singled, setting the table for Carey’s two-RBI triple to the wall in right-center field. Miller followed Carey with an RBI triple past the Wolverines’ center fielder to score Carey. Grego capped the inning with an RBI single to left to make it 9-0.
Worthley reached on a leadoff single in the top of the fifth and came around to score on Buck’s sacrifice fly to center, and Jasa and Olson combined to hold Michigan scoreless the rest of the way to complete the seven-inning shutout.
Nebraska and Michigan conclude the weekend series tomorrow at 10 a.m. CT on B1G+.
Huskers Grab Second Win of Day to Sweep Spartans
The No. 9 Nebraska softball team earned its 13th straight win on Saturday, a 4-1 victory that sealed a series sweep over the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing, Mich.
The Huskers are now 24-5 on the season with a perfect 6-0 record in Big Ten competition.
Hannah Coor logged four hits for the Big Red offense, while Ava Kuszak added three and Alexis Jensen had two. Kuszak, Coor, Kacie Hoffmann and Jesse Farrell each posted an RBI, while Farrell homered and Samantha Bland hit a double.
Kylee Magee (1-0) grabbed the win in the circle, her first of the season. She threw the first four innings for the Huskers and allowed one unearned run on one hit. She also struck out a season-high six batters. Jordy Frahm earned her seventh save of the season after tossing a scoreless final three innings. Her seven saves tie the single-season record, set by Rhonda Revelle in 1983.
Jensen, Kuszak and Coor registered three straight singles to load the bases in the top of the second, and Jensen scored on a Hoffmann groundout to give NU a 1-0 lead.
Michigan State added a run in the bottom of the second to tie the score at 1-1, but Farrell homered in the top of the third to get NU the advantage back at 2-1. Jensen and Kuszak singled and the two went to second and third, respectively, on a Spartan error, and Jensen scored on a Coor single.
The Big Red logged another insurance run on a Kuszak RBI single in the top of the seventh.
The Huskers will return home to Bowlin Stadium for a three-game series against UCLA next weekend. The first game on Friday, March 27, is set for 8 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on FS1. The contest can also be heard across the Huskers Radio Network.
Notes
Jordy Frahm grabbed her seventh save of the season, which ties the program record for single-season saves, set by Rhonda Revelle in 1983.
NU extended its win streak to 13 games.
Hannah Coor registered a career-high four hits.
Across three games against MSU this weekend, the Huskers allowed only one run.
Kylee Magee’s 4.0 innings and six strikeouts were both season highs.
NU Concludes 2026 NCAA Championships
On the final day of the 2026 NCAA Championships, Kelsey Clairmont and Beatrix Tanko paced the Nebraska swimming and diving team on the final day of the championships in Atlanta, Ga., at the McAuley Aquatic Center.
Clairmont, the senior from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, amassed a score of 240.75 on the platform board. In her third NCAA Championship, the platform specialist notched a 27th-place finish to conclude competition for the Big Red.
At the Big Ten Championships, Clairmont produced a ninth-place B final score of 263.35 before she traveled to the Zone D Diving Championships. At Zones, the fourth-year diver finished in seventh with an accumulated score of 513.25.
To conclude her inaugural nationals, Tanko competed in the first event of the day. Holding three school records, the junior from Budapest, Hungary, swam a 48.72 in the 100 free on Saturday morning for a 43rd-place finish.
The team of four–Abby Baxter, Clairmont, Gena Jorgenson, and Tanko–combined for 27 points, a 27th-place finish. This marks the best team finish since 2021, when the team finished in 26th.
The Huskers were one of eight Big Ten teams to finish among the top 30 at the NCAA Championships. Virginia won the title, with Stanford in second and Texas in third.
Nebraska 2026 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championship Results
Gena Jorgenson - First-Team All-America (1,650 Free), Second-Team All-America (500 Free)
1,650 Free - 4th - 15:42.94 (School Record)
500 Free - 14th - 4:38.77 (School Record)
400 IM - 22nd - 4:08.70
Beatrix Tanko
100 Fly - 32nd - 51.94
50 Free - 39th - 22.36
100 Free - 43rd - 48.72
Abby Baxter - Second-Team All-America (Three Meter)
One-Meter - 18th - 263.75
Three-Meter - 11th - 312.15
Kelsey Clairmont
Platform - 27th - 240.75