Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head wrestling coach Marc Bauer announced today the names of four high school seniors and two junior college transfers who will take to the mats for the Lopers this season.

The group includes Riley Allen (Grand Island), George Billy (Burke, Va.) Ben Hohensee (Monett, Mo.), Matt Katusin (Omaha Skutt), Zach Starostka (Grand Island Central Catholic) and Anthony Varnell (Spokane, Wash.). Earlier this year, Connecticut native T.J. Hepburn (Colby C.C., Kan.) signed on with the Lopers. Both Hohensee (Labette C.C., Kan.) and Varnell (Northwest College, Wyo.) will have two years of eligibility remaining after being two-time junior college All-Americans.

Allen will be at 149 lbs. for the Lopers and was the Class A runner up this past year at 152 lbs. As a junior, he was fourth at 140 lbs. and placed fifth at 130 lbs. as a sophomore.

Across town at G.I.C.C., Starostka (157 lbs.) was the Class C state runner up this past winter at 160 lbs. A two-time conference champion, he was third in the state tournament as a junior. Going 125-44 in his prep career, Starostka holds school records for season takedowns (131) and consecutive wins (40) while ranking second in career takedowns (253). Finally, he also was a starter on the Crusaders football and soccer teams.

Wrestling for 12-time state champion Skutt Catholic, Katusin (133/141 lbs.) was among the SkyHawks best the past four years as he won three state titles and posted a 153-20 record. His first place efforts came at 119, 125 and 135 lbs. He also was a state runner up (112 lbs.) as a freshman. Katusin also was successful outside of Nebraska, being a 2007 NHSCA All-American and placing second in the Brute Adidas tournament.

Billy (125 lbs.) amassed a 177-10 prep career, with a 105 falls/tech falls, at Lake Braddock Secondary School and Boys Town. His career included two Virginia state titles (103 and 112 lbs.) and a 2007 Class B Nebraska state title (112 lbs.). His one year at Boys Town also included a 34-0 record; this past season, Billy went 49-2 and placed second in Virginia’s Class AAA at 119 lbs. Outside of the high school ranks, Billy was a 2008 NHSCA Junior National All-American and has been a Virginia freestyle and Greco-Roman state champ.

Hohensee will be in the mix for UNK’s starting spot at 285 lbs. this year. At Labette, wrestling under former Loper Joe Renfro, he was third in the nation as a freshman and fourth this past winter. Hohensee also was a two-time Academic All-American for the Cardinals. At Monett High, he was a three-time state qualifier who was state champ as a senior and runner up as a sophomore. Hohensee also finished with an impressive 142-19 career record.

Finally, Varnell (141 lbs.) placed sixth at the junior college national tournament each of the past two seasons for the Northwest Trappers. He’ll be the second Spokane native on the Lopers, joining redshirt freshman Drew Comito. He repeated as a JUCO All-American despite battling a serious knee injury prior to his sophomore season. Varnell also picked up the Christopher Brooks Apodaca Memorial Award for Leadership & Excellence this past winter. At Lewis and Clark High, he went 110-11, having three top three finishes at the Washington state tournament, including one state title (140 lbs.). Varnell also placed fifth at senior nationals.

UNK has had eight straight top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships.

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