University of Wyoming Athletics

UW Drops First Conference Dual To South Dakota State

Wrestling 1/19/2014 2:00:00 AM

Jan. 19, 2014

GILLETTE, Wyo. -

Losses in six of 10 matches spelled doom for the University of Wyoming wrestling team Sunday in Gillette as the Pokes fell in their first conference dual to South Dakota State, 18-17.

A rally effort sparked by junior 165-pounder Dakota Friesth fell short, even after wins from juniors Shane Woods, Tyler Cox and redshirt freshman Benjamin Stroh. SDSU (2-3 overall) won the final two bouts to nip UW (1-6 overall, 0-1 Western Wrestling Conference) by one point.

"It started at the beginning - it wasn't just the last matches," Wyoming coach Mark Branch said. "We had opportunities to take momentum back in the dual, and didn't. There are some issues there and we weren't on the same page and I've got to figure out why."

A highlight of the dual was the return of Cox to his hometown of Gillette and wrestling in front of his home crowd. He dominated with a 24-9 technical fall to give UW five team points.

"He came out fired up and wrestled with a lot of energy and opened up his offense, which was good to see," Branch said. "He set the tone early with a takedown right off the whistle. It was a good display of wrestling in all areas."

In addition to Cox, wins from Friesth (165) and Woods (197) and a big pin from Stroh at 184 gave UW the chance to take over the dual, but the Jacks stymied any comeback effort with wins at 133 and 141 to end action.

Up next, UW will host Cal Poly on Friday in Laramie. Action begins at 7 p.m.

Match results
149: Alex Kocer (SDSU) dec. Brandon Richardson, 6-3 / SDSU 3, Wyoming 0
157: #18/18/18 Cody Pack (SDSU) dec. Andy McCulley, 4-2 / SDSU 6, Wyoming 0
165: #NR/NR/18 Dakota Friesth dec. Joe Brewster (SDSU), 5-3 / SDSU 6, Wyoming 3
174: John Nething II (SDSU) dec. Brent Havlik, 8-3 / SDSU 9, Wyoming 3
184: #20/15/18 Benjamin Stroh fall (4:31) Ben Schwery (SDSU) / Wyoming 9, SDSU 9
197: Shane Woods dec. Trey Hable (SDSU), 4-1 / Wyoming 12, SDSU 9
285: J.J. Everard (SDSU) dec. Tanner Harms, 7-3 / Wyoming 12, SDSU 12
125: #8/9/10 Tyler Cox tech fall (5:30) Ben Gillette (SDSU), 24-9 / Wyoming 17, SDSU 12
133: Brance Simms (SDSU) dec. Gunnar Woodburn, 6-0 / Wyoming 17, SDSU 15
141: Eric Orozco (SDSU) dec. Cole Mendenhall, 9-4 / SDSU 18, Wyoming 17