Wrestling: UNO to host tourney

The Kaufman-Brand Open, UNO's annual wrestling extravaganza at Sapp Fieldhouse that is the largest collegiate open tournament in the country and the second-largest college tournament of any kind, starts Saturday at 9 a.m.

More than 500 wrestlers from 30 schools are expected, with wrestlers split into elite and amateur divisions.

Among the 11 Division I schools sending teams are Iowa and Iowa State — ranked Nos. 1 and 2 nationally — and No. 5 Minnesota and No. 7 Nebraska. Top-flight Division II teams include top-ranked UNO, No. 2 Minnesota State-Mankato, fourth-ranked University of Nebraska at Kearney and No. 6 Central Oklahoma.

Defending national championship teams from Division I (Iowa), Division II (UNO), Division III (Wartburg) and junior college (Iowa Central) are entered.

“I think we're the only sport where there is this much inter-division competition,” UNO coach Mike Denney said. “You don't see that much at all in the other sports. We really like that part of it.”

Also Saturday, Bonnie Denney and Sandy Higdon, wives of UNO's head coach and assistant coach Ron Higdon, respectively, will be inducted in the Kaufman-Brand Open Hall of Fame.

“They represent all the women who work behind the scenes for this tournament, who support their husbands, sons and grandsons,” Mike Denney said.

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