CORVALLIS, Ore. (Jan. 14, 2018) – The No. 11 Wyoming Cowboy (7-2, 1-1 Big 12) wrestling team won its sixth-consecutive dual with a come-from-behind 29-12 triumph at Oregon State on Sunday night. Seven Cowboys recorded wins on the day. UW dropped the first three matches, but closed out the dual dominating in the final seven.
"You always take a chance when you draw and find out which weight you're starting at," UW head coach
Mark Branch said. "But after the deficit we were in, we came out and wrestled well. You hate to see bonus-points go the other way, but Montorie (Bridges) did a great job of getting us back on the right track. I wasn't expecting to win seven in a row but it was a great performance. Our focus now is to look forward to the next one. We realize we don't have much time to enjoy this victory as we have tough matchups again this week. So we'll get back on the road and go from there."
The Pokes fell behind 12-0 after the first three bouts, as
Cody Vigoren dropped a 17-2 tech. fall to No. Corey Greigo, No. 12 Amar Dhesi defeated
Hunter Mullins with a 12-4 major and
Drake Foster fell to No. 6 Ronnie Bresser. Foster put up a good fight but Bresser, a two-time NCAA Qualifier, came away with the 4-2 decision.
It wasn't until No. 7
Montorie Bridges got the Brown and Gold on the board with 19-6 major over Devan Turner to turn the tide for UW. Bridges established himself early with a takedown and two-point nearfall in the first period. He responded with five other takedowns in the second and third periods for the victory. Bridges is now 9-0 in duals and boasts a 23-3 overall mark.
No. 1
Bryce Meredith faced Jack Hathaway at 141 pounds. Meredith scored early with a takedown in the first period. After another takedown in the second period, he held a 4-1 lead heading into the third. Meredith didn't hold back in the final period, as he picked up two additional takedowns and a riding time point to seal the 10-2 major. The senior is also 9-0 in duals this season, and five of his last six wins have come via bonus points.
No. 19
Sam Turner continued his winning ways with an 11-2 major over Kurt Mode. Turner jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one, then added a takedown in the second period. Turner ultimately ran away with it in the third period for the win. Turner's major was the third-consecutive for Wyoming and also tied the dual at 12.
No. 10
Archie Colgan earned a 3-1 decision over Hunter Willits for his 101st career win at Wyoming. He is now tied with Shane Woods (2011-15) and Lonnie Currier (1980-85) for 16th all-time. An escape and takedown in the second period was all Colgan needed for the win. With Colgan's win, the Pokes held its first lead of the dual, 15-12.
No. 14
Branson Ashworth had no issues with Rodney Williams at 165 pounds. The junior cruised to a 16-0 tech. fall behind two takedowns, and 12 total nearfall points. Ashworth has won his last 13 matches with ten in bonus points.
Kyle Pope quickly scored two takedowns and four nearfall points in the opening period. He added another takedown in the second, and two more in the final period for the 16-5 major over Myles Terry. It was his tenth bonus-point victory of his senior season.
In the final bout of the evening,
Chaz Polson made quick work of Seth McLeod at 184 pounds. He closed out the match in the first period with a 16-1 tech. fall. The win was the second bonus-point dual win for Polson this season.
The Pokes are back in action at No. 15 South Dakota State on Thursday night.
Match Results
197: No. 16 Corey Greigo tech. fall
Cody Vigoren, 17-2 | OSU 5, UW 0
285: No. 12 Amar Dhesi
Hunter Mullins, 12-4 | OSU 9, UW 0
125: No. 6 Ronnie Bresser decision
Drake Foster, 4-2 | OSU 12, UW 0
133: No. 7
Montorie Bridges major Devan Turner, 19-6 | OSU 12, UW 4
141: No. 1
Bryce Meredith major Jack Hathaway, 10-2 | OSU 12, UW 8
149: No. 19
Sam Turner major Kurt Mode, 11-2 | UW 12, OSU 12
157: No. 10
Archie Colgan decision Hunter Willits, 3-1 | UW 15, OSU 12
165: No. 14
Branson Ashworth tech. fall Rodney Williams, 16-0 | UW 20, OSU 12
174:
Kyle Pope major Myles Terry, 16-5 | UW 24, OSU 12
184:
Chaz Polson tech. fall Seth McLeod, 16-1 | UW 29, OSU 12
