UVSC Wrestlers Place at Cowboy Open
by Brent Johnson

Laramie, Wyo. — Ben Kjar and Gehrhart Vuksinick placed in their respective weight classes as Utah Valley State got its season underway at the Cowboy Open.

Both Kjar and Vuksinick wrestled unattached and will redshirt for the Wolverines this season. Kjar took second place in the 125 weight division elite tournament. Vuksinick won the consolation bracket (third place) in the 157 weight class of the amateur tournament.

Richard Winger and who will compete for Utah Valley in duals this season and Cody Burdett who wrestled unattached also wrestled well for Utah Valley State.

Kjar won three straight decisions over Zach Valdez (Air Force), Trevor Charbonneau (University of Nebraska-Kearney) and Tony Mustari (University of Northern Colorado) to advance to the championship round. Kjar lost a 5-4 decision to Paul Donahoe in the championship round.

Vuksinick won a pair of decisions before losing a decision to Noomis Jones from Adams State. Vuksinick then went on to when three consecutive decisions including a 4-2 victory over Jones in a rematch to win third.

Winger picked up four wins, including two pins against Derrick Salazar (University of Northern Colorado) and Nick Dionisio (Adams State College). Burdett recorded three wins.

The Wolverines will participate in their first dual meets Nov. 18 at the Jack Hancock Dual Invitational.