Nebraska wrestling sends five to Big Ten finals

What we learned from Day 1 of the Big Ten Championships

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Nebraska wrestling advanced five wrestlers to the finals after Day 1 at the Big Ten Championships in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The Huskers enter championship Sunday tied for second in team scoring with 112 points, just trailing heavy favorite Penn State.

Why it matters

Nebraska's strong performance on Day 1 of the Big Ten Championships puts them in contention for a high team finish, with five wrestlers advancing to the finals. This is an important milestone for the Huskers' wrestling program as they look to compete for a conference title.

The details

Key highlights from Day 1 include AJ Ferrari avenging his two losses to Ohio State's Nick Feldman to advance to the heavyweight final, Brock Hardy and Antrell Taylor both reaching the finals in their respective weight classes, and rising stars Christopher Minto and Camden McDanel also making the finals. Several other Huskers competed in the consolation bracket to stay alive for NCAA Championship qualification.

  • The Big Ten Championships took place on Saturday, March 8, 2026 in State College, Pennsylvania.

The players

AJ Ferrari

A Nebraska heavyweight wrestler who advanced to the finals after defeating Ohio State's Nick Feldman in the semifinals.

Brock Hardy

The defending Big Ten champion at 141 pounds who advanced to the finals again this year.

Antrell Taylor

A Nebraska wrestler at 157 pounds who won his semifinal match to reach the finals, where he will face Penn State's PJ Duke.

Christopher Minto

A Nebraska sophomore at 174 pounds who reached the finals after defeating Iowa's Patrick Kennedy in the semifinals.

Camden McDanel

A Nebraska sophomore at 197 pounds who advanced to the finals, where he will face Penn State's Josh Barr.

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What’s next

The Big Ten Championship finals will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2026, where the five Nebraska wrestlers who advanced will compete for conference titles.

The takeaway

Nebraska's strong performance on Day 1 of the Big Ten Championships, with five wrestlers reaching the finals, positions the Huskers as a serious contender for the team title. The finals on Sunday will be an important opportunity for Nebraska to capture individual conference championships and build momentum heading into the NCAA Championships.