Chadron State opens its dual season Thursday against two-time defending Division II national champion Nebraska-Kearney, ranked No. 2 nationally. The 5:30 p.m. matchup is the Eagles’ first under new head coach Taygen Smith and their first of four home duals this season.

By the Numbers
  • UNK is 14-4 in duals last season and beat Chadron State 22-13.
  • UNK has six nationally ranked wrestlers; four are listed in its projected lineup.
  • Chadron State placed two wrestlers at last week’s DWU Open: Logan Berger and Brooks Loosvelt, both fourth in their weight classes with 4-2 records.
Yes, But

UNK brings a championship pedigree and top-ranked talent, but it has yet to wrestle a dual this season. Chadron State also enters after a season-opening tournament, and its projected lineup features several wrestlers facing new opponents compared with last year’s dual.

State of Play
  • Berger is ranked No. 12 nationally at 165 pounds; Aidan Callahan is No. 2 in Super Region 6 at 149.
  • Key projected matchups include fifth-year Skyler Geier-Dodson against No. 3 Joseph Airola and freshman Peyton Pacheco against No. 2 Mason Villwok, a former Chadron State All-American.
  • The dual airs on the pay-per-view RMAC Network.
What’s Next

The teams meet Thursday at the Chicoine Center. Probable lineups are subject to change, and the matchup will provide an early measure of Chadron State’s new coaching era against one of Division II’s strongest programs.

Bottom Line

Chadron State gets an immediate test against the reigning national power—and a chance to see how its returning talent and new leadership hold up in a high-stakes season opener.