Wagner's Robert Kokesh earns All-American status

DES MOINES, Iowa — Wagner native and University of Nebraska’s Robert Kokesh won his first match at the NCAA Division I national wrestling tournament Friday morning, guaranteeing himself an All-American finish.

In the quarterfinals of the 174-pound weight class, Kokesh defeated Maryland’s Josh Asper 11-3 by major decision to reach the semifinals, where he lost to top-seeded Chris Perry, of Oklahoma State, 4-2 in overtime.

Today, Kokesh will face Iowa’s Michael Evans in the wrestleback round for a chance to get in the third-fourth place match.

If Kokesh loses, he’ll wrestle for fifth in the final match of his sophomore season. Even though Kokesh won’t be wrestling for a national title, he earned his first All-American status of his collegiate career.

Another South Dakota native, Logan Storley, of Webster, also lost in the semifinals in the 174-pound bracket.

Storley lost to Matt Brown, of Penn State, 3-2 in the semifinals. Storley defeated Evans in his quarterfinal match 3-2 earlier in the day to earn his second straight All-American finish.

If Kokesh and Storley both win or both lose their first match today, they’ll wrestle each other in the placing round.

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