A trio of University of Northern Iowa wrestlers took part in the 2008 FILA Junior Nationals and two of the Panthers reached the semifinals in their respective weight classes in Las Vegas, Nev.

Redshirt freshman Nick Pickerell (Albia, Iowa) won three matches to reach the semifinals before he dropped a three-period match to Junior World champion Bubba Jenkins (Penn State) in the 70 kg/154.25 lbs. bracket. Pickerell won the first period, 3-3. But lost the second, 1-0, and the third, 4-1.

Pickerell reached the semifinals with wins over Max Shanaman (2-0, 3-2), Shane Nay (7-0, 4-5, 5-2) and Bryce Saddoris (2-1, 5-2). Pickerell will challenge Lehigh's Sean Bilodeau in tomorrow's consolation semifinal.

Freshman Christian Brantley (Homewood, Ill.) won two matches before falling to 2007 World Team member Dom Bradley in the semifinals of the 120 kg/264.5 lbs. bracket. Bradley scored a 1-0, 1-0 victory over Brantley to advance to the finals.

Brantley got to the semis with wins over Luis Morales (3-0, 4-1) and Eddie Phillips (2-1, 1-0). Brantley will take on Penn State's Cameron Wade in tomorrow's consolation semifinal.

Freshman Cruse Aarhus (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) suffered a pair of defeats at the hands of Logan Stieber (6-0, 6-0) and Ohio State's Bo Touris (3-1, 3-1) in the 55 kg/121.25 lbs. bracket.

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

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