Results

LARAMIE, Wyo. (Nov. 27, 2016) – In its first Big 12 dual of the season, the University of Wyoming Cowboy wrestling team defeated the Iowa State Cyclones, 19-15, inside the UniWyo Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, UW improves to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in  the Big 12, while the Cyclones drop to 1-3, and 1-3 in the Big 12. The Cyclones were the 24th-ranked team according to InterMat's Dual Meet rankings.

"Since we have a pretty good break until we are back with another dual, it's good to get a win at home," UW head coach Mark Branch said. "I saw some improvements from last week. We know each team will make changes and that Iowa State very well could be a different team in March at the Big 12 Championships. We had some big performances going up against a couple of tough wrestlers, which was exciting. I thought Brandon (Tribble) did excellent with the amount of weight that he was going up against. The dual basically came down to that and it helped us for the rest of the afternoon."

It was the 16th matchup between the schools and the win became the second-ever victory for the Pokes. Wyoming's lone win came back in 1950 when they won, 19-10 over Iowa State.

The Cowboys won five of the matches against Iowa State with bonus points in two. Redshirt sophomore Branson Ashworth once again started the dual on the right foot for the Brown and Gold. Ashworth earned a decision (3-0) by way of a second period escape and then a final period takedown over Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer.

Junior Kyle Pope dropped a decision (10-7) to No. 10 Lelund Weatherspoon in the second match of the afternoon. Pope was tied 4-4 heading into the second period after two escapes and a takedown. He closed the score to one, 6-7 after a reversal in the second period before Weatherspoon ran away with it. Iowa State furthered its early lead when Carson Powell defeated junior Luke Paine by a 6-0 decision.

Redshirt freshman Cody Vigoren rectified a loss against Nebraska last week with a major (9-0) over Joe Teague. Redshirt senior Brandon Tribble added to UW's lead with a decision (4-3) over Quean Smith. Tribble was down 1-3 after the first two periods and then earned an escape and a takedown in the final period for the victory.

Iowa State would win the next two duals, as senior Gunnar Woodburn was defeated by Markus Simmons by decision (13-7) just before redshirt senior Drew Templeman fell by decision (10-4) to No. 5 Earl Hall during his first dual of the season.

Junior Bryce Meredith recorded his fourth fall of the season with a pin (4:09) over No. 13 Gabe Moreno. Meredith had two takedowns in the dual with one each in the first two periods. Redshirt senior Cole Mendenhall continued his winning ways with a decision (9-4) over Chase Straw. Mendenhall jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two takedowns and an escape. Straw didn't earn a point until late in the second period and Mendenhall returned a reversal and escape in the third period with his own escape and takedown to seal the victory.

In what was the final dual of the afternoon, junior Archie Colgan fell to Colston DeBlasi by decision (5-3). Despite earning riding time, Colgan fell behind 0-5 in the first period and recorded a reversal to begin the second period.

The Pokes return to the mat next weekend as they travel to the Cliff Keen Invite in Las Vegas on Dec. 2-3. 

165: Branson Ashworth (UW) dec. Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer (ISU), 3-0.
174: Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU) dec. Kyle Pope (UW), 10-7.
184: Carson Powell (ISU) dec. Luke Paine (UW), 6-0. (3:04 RT)
197: Cody Vigoren (UW) maj. dec. Joe Teague (ISU), 9-0.
285: Brandon Tribble (UW) dec. Quean Smith (ISU), 4-3.
125: Markus Simmons (ISU) dec. Gunnar Woodburn (UW), 13-7. (2:18 RT)
133: Earl Hall (ISU) dec. Drew Templeman (UW), 10-4. (1:24 RT)
141: Bryce Meredith (UW) fall Gabe Moreno (ISU), 4:10.
149: Cole Mendenhall (UW) dec. Chase Straw (ISU), 9-4.
157: Colton DiBlasi (ISU) dec. Archie Colgan (UW), 5-3.