Top-ranked Luke Rynish of Wisconsin-Parkside takes control against Ashland’s Bryson Hall at 174. Gary Abbott photo.

PUEBLO, Colo. – The tight team race everyone expected looks like it may become a reality at the NCAA Division II Championships.

Six teams are within five points of the lead after the first session on Friday at Massari Arena.

Third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney grabbed the early lead with 11 points. The Lopers went 7-1 in the first session. Returning NCAA runner-ups Dalton Jensen (141) and T.J. Hepburn (157) led the way by recording wins for Nebraska-Kearney.

The Lopers are looking to win their second national title after winning it all in 2008. Jensen, a past starter for Iowa State, won by fall in the first round.

“I felt a little sloppy, but it was good to get a little burn in and get a fall to help the team,” Jensen said. “The bonus points definitely play a big factor in winning the national tournament for the team. Those points are real important for us.”

Fifth-ranked Central Oklahoma is second with 10 points. The Bronchos won their first five matches before going 6-3 in the first session. Wisconsin-Parkside is third with 9.5 points and four in the quarterfinals. Ashland is next with 8 points and four in the quarters. Augustana is fifth with 7 points and six in the quarters.

Top-ranked St. Cloud State is in sixth place with six points. The Huskies advanced six wrestlers into the quarterfinals. Second-ranked Newberry is in 12th place with four points. Newberry went 3-4 in the first session.

The quarterfinals are set for 6 p.m. Mountain Time. Semifinals and finals will be held on Saturday in Pueblo.

Returning champions Trevor Franklin of Upper Iowa, Michael Lybarger of Findlay and Matthew Mueleners of Northern State won their first matches on Friday. Franklin has bumped up to 133 after winning at 125 last year and Lybarger is now in a loaded 174 bracket after winning at 165 in 2011. Mueleners is looking to repeat at heavyweight.

Franklin won by major decision in the first round.

“It was a good start to a good tournament,” Franklin said. “I’m training harder, I’m in better shape and I’m sharper. I’m coming in here with the same mindset I did last year.”

2011 NCAA runner-up finishers William Young of Newberry (141), Dillon Bera (157) and Luke Rynish (174) of Wisconsin-Parkside, and Jake Kahnke of St. Cloud State (285) also prevailed in the first round.

Nebraska-Omaha won the past three Division II titles and six of the last eight, but the UNO program was dropped after last season when the school moved to the Division I level.

Mike Denney, who coached UNO to seven national titles, had his first-year program at Maryville go 2-1 in the first session. Second-ranked Matt Baker, an All-American last year, won his first match at 197 as did teammate Keenan Hagerty at 149.