The University of Wyoming wrestling team delivered a dominant performance on Friday night, claiming a decisive 25-10 victory over Utah Valley in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at the UniWyo Sports Complex, 7220 Sports reports.
The win, Wyoming’s second in a row, improved their record to 7-5 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 competition, while Utah Valley fell to 5-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
Head coach Mark Branch emphasized an aggressive approach for his team, which hadn’t competed at home in 76 days.
“It was a dominating team score and a team effort,” Branch said. “I thought we fought hard, and we are not at our best yet. And that’s great, and we are moving in the right direction.”
The dual began with Utah Valley claiming the first two matches, putting Wyoming in an early 6-0 deficit. However, the Cowboys quickly shifted momentum, sparked by Cole Brooks (141). Brooks earned the biggest win of his career, a 7-2 decision over No. 16 Haiden Drury.
“That’s a huge win for him for so many reasons,” Branch said. “That’s a huge win to hang your hat on.”
Brooks’ victory set the tone for Wyoming’s dominant stretch, with the Cowboys winning six of the final seven bouts:
- 149: No. 25 Gabe Willochell notched a 12-3 major decision over Smokey McClure.
- 157: No. 15 Jared Hill bounced back with an 8-6 decision over Ryker Fullmer.
- 174: Riley Davis, returning to the lineup, earned a 7-3 decision win over Mark Takara.
- 184: Eddie Neitenbach, in his UniWyo debut, scored an 11-4 decision win over Caleb Uhlenhopp.
- 197: No. 10 Joey Novak punctuated the dual with a pin against Kael Bennie at the 5:24 mark, marking his second consecutive fall.
- HWT: Sam Mitchell capped the night with a narrow 4-3 decision win over Jack Forbes.
Utah Valley’s lone win during this stretch came at 165, where No. 4 Terrell Barraclough defeated Cooper Voorhees via technical fall, 19-3.
Friday’s win marked Wyoming’s third victory in their last four matches, as the team continues to build momentum in the latter half of the season. The Cowboys will return to the mat on Saturday evening, facing Cal Baptist at the UniWyo Sports Complex.
Match Results:
- 125: Bridger Ricker (Utah Valley) dec. Garrett Ricks (Wyoming), 4-3
- 133: Kase Mauger (Utah Valley) dec. David Sanez (Wyoming), 9-2
- 141: Cole Brooks (Wyoming) dec. No. 16 Haiden Drury (Utah Valley), 7-2
- 149: No. 25 Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) maj. dec. Smokey McClure (Utah Valley), 12-3
- 157: No. 15 Jared Hill (Wyoming) dec. Ryker Fullmer (Utah Valley), 8-6
- 165: No. 4 Terrell Barraclough (Utah Valley) tech fall Cooper Voorhees (Wyoming), 19-3
- 174: Riley Davis (Wyoming) dec. Mark Takara (Utah Valley), 7-3
- 184: Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) dec. Caleb Uhlenhopp (Utah Valley), 11-4
- 197: No. 10 Joey Novak (Wyoming) fall Kael Bennie (Utah Valley), 5:24
- HWT: Sam Mitchell (Wyoming) dec. Jack Forbes (Utah Valley), 4-3
