Two University of Northern Iowa wrestlers placed fifth in the nation at the 2008 FILA Junior Nationals held April 23-26 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Redshirt freshman Nick Pickerell (Albia, Iowa) earned fifth-place honors in the 70 kg/154.25 lbs. bracket after posting a mark of 4-2 in the tournament. Pickerell dropped a 6-0, 8-5 decision to Sean Bilodeau (Lehigh) in the consolation semifinal before recording an injury default win over Tigran Adzhemyan in the 5th/6th place match.

Freshman Christian Brantley (Homewood, Ill.) placed fifth in the 120 kg/264.5 lbs. bracket. Brantley went 3-2 at the tournament. Brantley suffered a 1-0, 1-0 loss to Cameron Wade on the consolation semifinals before he earned an injury default win over Brendan Barlow in the 5th/6th place match.

Freshman Cruse Aarhus (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) also took part in the tournament as he competed in the 55 kg/121.25 lbs. bracket. Aarhus went 0-2 in the tournament.

UNI RESULTS
Cruse Aarhus - 55 kg/121.25 lbs.
L, Logan Stieber - 6-0, 6-0
L, Bo Touris - 3-1, 3-1

Nick Pickerell - 70 kg/154.25 lbs.
W, Max Shanaman - 2-0, 3-2
W, Shane Nay - 7-0, 4-5, 5-2
W, Bryce Saddoris - 2-1, 5-2
L, Bubba Jenkins - 3-3, 1-0, 4-1
L, Sean Bilodeau - 6-0, 8-5
W, Tiran Adzhemyan - Injury Default

Christian Brantley - 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
W, Luis Morales - 3-0, 4-1
W, Eddie Phillips - 2-1, 1-0
L, Dom Bradley - 1-0, 1-0
L, Cameron Wade - 1-0, 1-0
W, Brendan Barlow - Injury Default