Tadzhimetov's Run at Vegas Ends Early
by Clint Burgi

December 3, 2005

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Utah Valley State wrestler Erkin Tadzhimetov dropped his first match Saturday to Tennessee-Chattanooga's Matt Keller 13-7 in a 133 lb. elimination match at the Las Vegas Invitational. A win would have put the senior from Uzbekistan into at least one of the top 8 places depending on the remainder of the tournament.

Tadzhimetov, the 18th ranked wrestler in the nation, suffered his only two losses of the two day prestigious tournament to 9th ranked Robbie Preston from Harvard and Keller, the 13th ranked wrestler in the nation. Tadzhimetov himself is currently ranked 18th and was the only Wolverine wrestler to stay alive after day one on Friday.

"Erkin had a great tournament," said Utah Valley coach Cody Sanderson. "One mistake basically cost him the match on Friday and with the competition he's faced I'm happy for the tournament he had."

During day one several Utah Valley wrestlers had good days on the mat, including Justin Rawle who won three matches and Talon Vickers, who won twice. Tadzhimetov dropped his opening match to Preston before rolling off four straight wins to advance to Saturday.

"Overall the experience we gained and the quality of opponents we faced will make us better wrestlers," said Sanderson. "Wrestling against competition of this caliber is really the best for us to improve."

The Wolverines will open their home dual season next Saturday night against Western State at 7:00pm in the Activity Center.