Drury Preps for Season After Summer Success

OREM, Utah — Utah Valley wrestler Haiden Drury kept busy this summer with competitions both nationally and internationally and will now look to compete for a Big 12 title this year at 133.

Drury started this summer at the Junior World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio, competing in the Greco-Roman 63kg weight class and for a spot in the World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. Drury defeated Pierson Manville in a best two-out-of-three matches by a 6-3 score in both matches. The victory earned Drury a spot on Team USA for the U20 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Before making the trip to Sofia, Bulgaria, Drury took home the gold medal in the 2022 U20 Pan American games in Oaxtepec, Mexico, in July. Drury dominated the competition going 5-0 on the day, outscoring opponents by a 36-2 combined score. The gold medal performance included three tech fall victories and one victory by fall.

At the U20 UWW World Championships, Drury competed for Team USA in the 63kg class. Drury was defeated by Ziya Babashov (AZE) in an 8-0 score. The loss eliminated Drury from the tournament, but Drury gained valuable training time in preparation for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.

Drury will look to qualify for his second NCAA Tournament at the conclusion of the 22-23 season. In the preseason rankings, Drury is ranked nationally at No. 19 by Flowrestling and No. 20 by Intermat. In the Flowrestling Big 12 rankings, Drury is currently ranked No. 3.