By Jim Nelson

Jordan Burroughs was humble to the end. There were no elaborate celebration dances or gymnastics moves for the Nebraska junior following his 157-pound victory at the 79th NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

            No, Burroughs simply shook hands with his conquered opponent, Illinois’ Mike Poeta, and had his hand raised as victor.

            “I’m not really an emotional person,” Burroughs said. “I enjoy winning. I love to win. But I don’t like showboating, especially in front of the crowd.

            “I know a lot of people don’t like that and I just like to stay humble, show good sportsmanship and just stay classy.”

            Burroughs’ 5-1 victory over Poeta capped off the greatest season in Cornhusker history.

            The win made Burroughs Nebraska’s tenth individual national champion … and first undefeated champ at 35-0.

            Using his explosive blast double-leg takedown from just about any position,  Burroughs set a Husker team record most takedowns in a single season, racking up 119 this year, after setting the record last season with 98.

            Burroughs gave up just one takedown, to Missouri’s Michael Chandler, all season.

            “I think people have figured me out already by simply watching tape,” Burroughs said. “A lot of things I do, I do often. A lot of guys are looking forward to stopping it, but it’s kind of difficult to stop when you’re confronted with it.

            “It’s pretty hard to stop,” added Burroughs of his double leg. “There are a lot of different dynamics to it. I shoot it from my knees and I shoot it from my feet. There are a lot of ways I can score with it.”

            Burroughs got a takedown of Poeta with one second left on the first-period clock which he said was key to his victory. He also added one in the third to seal his victory.

            “It’s a great accomplishment for me, my family, my teammates, and everyone who has ever supported me and enjoys the way I wrestle. This is for them,” Burroughs said.

            The Sicklerville, N.J. native followed former high school teammate Vince Jones to Lincoln. Burroughs was the 135-pound New Jersey state champion in 2006 and was a two-time state finalist.

            “We wrestled together since we were five years old, actually he’s a couple of years older than me,” Burroughs said of Jones. “He ended up moving next door about the eighth grade.

            “Nebraska was recruiting him at our state championships his senior year, and I was a junior. I made it to the state finals that year. He kind of put in a good word for me, they kept coming back to see me so I signed and came to Nebraska. It’s been good ever since.”

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