Senior All-American Robert Kokesh moved up to No. 1 at 174 pounds in every major NCAA wrestling poll this week following his first-place finish at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational over the weekend.
Kokesh, a Wagner, S.D., native, earned the top spot from InterMat, WIN Magazine, TheOpenMat.com and Asics Flo Rankings. He entered the weekend ranked second before reeling off five wins en route to the 174-pound title in Las Vegas, Nev. Kokesh opened with a pair of major decisions before knocking off ranked wrestlers Mark Martin of Ohio State (No. 12), Tanner Weatherman of Iowa State (No. 6) and Blaise Butler of Virginia (No. 9).
Kokesh is 14-0 on the season with a 4-0 dual record, and claimed first place at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 8. Kokesh has four victories against ranked opponents to go along with three pins, two technical falls and two major decisions.
The two-time All-American ranks seventh in school history in career victories with 119. He finished fourth at the 2014 NCAA Championships after taking third in 2013. Kokesh is also the reigning Big Ten champion at 174 pounds.
The Huskers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) host Big Ten rival Wisconsin on Saturday at 6 p.m. (CT) at the Devaney Center. The dual will mark Nebraska’s final competition of 2014 before it opens 2015 at the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn., Jan. 1-2.