The University of Wyoming wrestling team returns home this week to take on No. 20 West Virginia in a Big 12 dual on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the UniWyo Sports Complex, University of Wyoming Athletics reports.
With a 9-6 overall record and a 3-3 mark in conference play, the Cowboys have been especially strong at home this season, boasting a perfect 3-0 record and outscoring their opponents 108-13 in Laramie.
Head coach Mark Branch is focused on maintaining that aggressive momentum against the nationally ranked Mountaineers.
“We need to compete with passion and energy,” Branch said. “We are at home and need to make our crowd a factor by wrestling with aggressiveness and winning the close matches. Bonus points could be the biggest factor, so managing that on both sides will be huge.”
Saturday’s dual will feature five ranked Cowboys against four ranked Mountaineers, although only one match will feature a ranked-versus-ranked contest. No. 32 Eddie Neitenbach (184) is set to face No. 16 Dennis Robin. Other key matchups include No. 10 Joey Novak (197), No. 18 Cole Brooks (141), No. 19 Gabe Willochell (149), and No. 20 Jared Hill (157) for Wyoming, while West Virginia counters with No. 3 Peyton Hall (165), No. 9 Jett Strickenberger (125), and No. 19 Brody Conley (174).
With several matchups expected to be decisive, bonus points—earned through major decisions, technical falls, and pins—could play a key role in determining the outcome. Wyoming has shown effectiveness in close duals this season, holding a perfect 3-0 record in duals decided by three points or fewer, with two of those wins coming down to the final match.
In addition to their ranked competitors, Wyoming will send out Garrett Ricks (125), Stockton O’Brien (133), Cooper Voorhees (165), and Riley Davis (174). West Virginia, which is 8-6 on the season and 2-5 in conference action, will look to continue its strong performances, with the Mountaineers facing Utah Valley on Thursday night before their trip to Laramie.
The Cowboys have a 4-1 all-time record against West Virginia, including a 25-11 win in Morgantown during their last meeting in 2022. Following the dual against the Mountaineers, Wyoming will close out its regular-season duals with a match at Air Force on February 14 and a home dual against Northern Colorado on February 16.
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