Wolverines Seize Convincing Win in Western Wrestling Conference Opener
by Clint Burgi

OREM, Utah — Utah Valley won its first ever Western Wrestling Conference dual in convincing fashion over South Dakota State, 39-4, on Thursday night in the Shurian Family Activity Center. The Wolverines recorded wins in nine out of the 10 matches on the night, and improved to 4-2 (1-0 WWC) in duals this season while the Jacks dropped to 0-2 (0-1 WWC).

"We have a great group of guys ... they are working very hard," said UV head coach Greg Williams. "We wrestled offensively and were aggressive. This is a good win."

Casen Eldredge put Utah Valley out in front 6-0 after the opening match when he pinned Tyler Sorenson with 25 seconds left in the second period in the 174 pound match.

At 184 pounds Mark Dennis increased the UV lead to 9-0 with an 8-2 decision over Jeremy Swier. Dennis took a 2-0 lead with a takedown late in the opening period. He doubled that lead with another takedown at the 1:33 mark of the second to take control of the match.

Billy Green kept South Dakota State off the scoreboard when he outlasted Brady Punt at 285 pounds in a 5-2 decision to give the Wolverines a 12-0 lead. After a scoreless first, Green took a 1-0 lead right off the bat in the second on an escape for the only scoring heading into the third. Green scored a three-point near fall with just 22 seconds left in the match before Punt scored on a reversal with 16 second to go. Riding time gave Green the final 5-2 tally.

Ben Kjar won his 26th match of the season when he made quick work of Alan Marvin, winning by fall just 1:37 into the match. Kjar's win gave the Wolverines a commanding 18-0 lead.

Derek Pirner got the Jacks on the board with a major decision victory (10-2) over Logan Wilson at 133 pounds, trimming the UV lead to 18-4.

After a short intermission, Jeff Newby scored a 3-0 decision over Adam Everson at 141 pounds to put the Wolverines up 21-4 with four matches to go.

After a scoreless first period, Newby was able to ride Everson the entire second period. In the third Newby was able to take a 2-0 lead on a reversal with 1:09 remaining before riding time pushed the final score to 3-0.

Sam Allen notched his 20th win of the season when he pinned Marc Wermersen with 25 seconds left in the first. Allen's pin clinched the win for Utah Valley, giving the Wolverines a 27-4 lead with just three matches left.

Nate Kearsley and Sean Flynn were locked in a good battle at 157 pounds when Flynn was forced to withdraw with just 17 seconds left in the match due to an injury. Up to that point, it had been one of the most competitive matches of the night with Kearsley scoring six straight points after falling behind 6-2 in the opening period.

After earning a point after Flynn was charged with stalling, Kearsley scored a takedown and two-point near fall late in the second period to take a 7-6 lead. The six points awarded for the injury default put Utah Valley up 33-4.

The 165 pound match saw Gehrhart Vuksinick score a 4-1 decision over Ryan Meyer. Vuksinick took a 2-0 lead on a takedown with 2:07 left in the first and another with 35 seconds left in the second. Meyer received his only point when Vuksinick was charged with stalling in the third.

Marc Fenwick closed out the dual with a 10-8 win over Justin Retallic. Fenwick took a quick 4-0 lead on a takedown and near fall in the first period and eventually stretched his lead to 9-2 late in the match. Retallic made it close late, scoring on a quick reversal and go Fenwick on his back but it was too late as Fenwick prevailed.

Up next for the Wolverines wrestlers will be the Lone Star Duals in South Grand Prairie, Texas on Saturday. Utah Valley will wrestle #14 Wisconsin, Brown, Oklahoma City and Eastern Michigan in duals throughout the day.