Peter Yazvac
Asst Athletic Dir/Media Relations
Some of the nation’s top student-athletes will be coming to the campus in March.
UNK is hosting the N CAA Division II Wrestling Championships March 9-10, Friday and Saturday, and then is hosting the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament March 21, 22 and 24 (Wednesday-Saturday).
Both events will take place in the Health & Sports Center. The arena hosted the 1995 wrestling championships and will also host the 2008 Elite Eight (March 26,27 and 29).
Annually, 160 competitors representing more than 30 schools qualify for the wrestling championships. UNK, Nebraska-Omaha, Central Oklahoma and Minnesota State-Mankato figure to be the teams fighting to win the team National championship.
The Lopers are currently No. 1 in the nation and feature returning national champ Brett Allgood (133 lbs.) from Bennington, plus UNK has one of the nation’s best wrestlers —regardless of classification—in heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev, who is from Arlington, Texas.
The event finals on Saturday will be televised statewide on NETV2. Showing the event to a nationwide audience will be College Sports Television (CSTV) and Altitude Sports Network on a tape delay basis.
Sixty-four teams will qualify for the women’s basketball NCAA Tournament with the first three rounds of the tourney being held on campus sites March 9, 10 and 12. The eight regional winners will then advance to Kearney to play for the national title.
Currently, Florida Gulf Coast is ranked No. 1 with area schools, North Dakota, Missouri Western State and Washburn, all in the top five.
UNK is hoping to make it back into the NCAA’s after a two-year absence. The Lopers would then have to win three regional games, over the likes of North Dakota and South Dakota, to make the Elite Eight.
The semi-final games on Thursday will be carried live by ESPN U and then ESPN2 will carry the national title game on Saturday.
Faculty and staff can do their part by purchasing a pair of all-session tournament booklets to each event. Tournament passes cost $35 for adults and $25 for youth and senior citizens.
In appreciation to the campus for of all the efforts on behalf of UNK, and for continued support of athletics, the athletic department is offering an added incentive, a $5 discount for the first 100 UNK Faculty/Staff members who purchase a pass to either of the events. This offer is valid only for UNK faculty/staff members.
In addition, faculty/staff members will receive a coupon, redeemable for a 20 percent discount on an official tournament t-shirt at the Antelope Bookstore.
To take advantage of this limited opportunity, individuals may contact Michelle Smidt at 865-1563 or smidtm@unk.edu. Individuals will need to present their UNK ID. For those who have already purchased their tickets, the discount is still available by contacting Smidt.
