BROOKINGS, S.D. (Jan. 18, 2017) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team started strong against South Dakota State on Thursday night, but bonus points proved to be the deciding factor between the two nationally-ranked teams as the Pokes fell, 20-18.

"Tonight was a great atmosphere," UW head coach Mark Branch said. "There was obviously a lot of hype involved, but that is what you want for these type of duals. I was proud of Sam (Turner) for stepping up in to that environment. Archie (Colgan) then followed with a sharp outing. Branson (Ashworth) came out and did what he has done lately, which was good to see. We then didn't make the necessary adjustments for the next five matches. We were somewhat competitive but we didn't have enough. We know that type of environment can prepare you for postseason. It was no doubt a learning experience."

The Brown and Gold, ranked No. 22 in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll won five of the ten bouts against the No. 15 Jackrabbits, including the first three. Redshirt freshman Sam Turner, senior Archie Colgan, junior Branson Ashworth started the dual with three-straight wins. Redshirt freshman Montorie Bridges picked up UW's (7-3, 1-2 Big 12) fourth win, as senior Bryce Meredith closed out the dual with a decision over Seth Gross, the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 133 pounds.

"I wanted Montorie (Bridges) to get that chance against a No. 1 ranked wrestler," Branch added. "But he will get an opportunity. I feel good about where he is at and what he has accomplished so far. I expected the final match to be super competitive, like it was. The scramble that Bryce (Meredith) finished was great and really helped decide the match. Saturday's dual will be just as competitive. So I hope we have short memory and go take care of business."

No. 19 Turner faced Colten Carlson to begin the dual at 149 pounds. Turner was able to get on the board first with an early second period escape. He then added a takedown and held on for the 3-0 decision to give Wyoming the early lead.

Colgan, the No. 12 ranked wrestler at 157 pounds matched up with No. 10 Luke Silverberg in the night's second match. Colgan tacked on a first-period takedown and went into the middle period up, 2-1. An escape and additional takedown from Colgan further distanced himself in the second period. He held a 5-2 lead after two periods. Colgan didn't falter to hold on for the 5-3 upset decision. It was his second victory against a top-ten opponent this season and also his seventh-straight dual win.

Ashworth is the No. 14 ranked wrestler at 165 pounds and it showed on Thursday night against Zach Carlson. Ashworth was in control from the beginning, as he quickly scored two takedowns in both the opening and second period. The junior from Spanish Fork, Utah, made it look easy with the 11-3 major decision. He has now won 15 consecutive matches. His last loss came on Dec. 2, at the Cliff Keen Invite. The win gave Wyoming a 10-0 lead after three bouts.

After winning the first three matches, SDSU made a run of their own. Senior Kyle Pope fell to No. 9 David Kocer, as fellow senior Chaz Polson dropped his bout to Martin Mueller at 184 pounds. Junior Cody Vigoren was defeated by No. 11 Nate Rotert at 197 pounds for the Jacks third-straight win.

At heavyweight, junior Sam Eagan was edged by Alex Macki, 3-1 and sophomore Drake Foster fought hard against Connor Brown, but fell 8-6 at 125 pounds.

It wasn't until 133 pounds when Bridges picked up a 22-7 tech. fall over Tyler Pieper. Bridges, No. 5 at 133 pounds, went on the offensive early with a takedown. During the first two periods, he scored on every shot and led 14-5 heading to the third. Bridges ultimately sailed to the win for what was his 14th-straight victory.

The anticipation surrounded the possibility of two No. 1 ranked wrestlers competing, and the wrestling world saw what they wanted as Meredith faced off with SDSU's Seth Gross. The bout between the two All-Americans was scoreless after the first period, and an escape was the only point awarded in the second. Meredith evened the score at one with an escape on his own, then fantastic scrambling from both wrestlers led to a takedown for Meredith with just under a minute left in the third.  The Cheyenne native would add a riding time point and hold on for the 4-2 decision. Gross had previously won 28 consecutive dual matches.

Meredith and Gross had met twice in 2016. Meredith took the first match during the regular season, as Gross came away with the win in the Big 12 tournament semifinals. Gross moved down to 133 pounds after the 2016 season and was the NCAA runner-up a year ago.

Cowboys will take on North Dakota State on Saturday night in Fargo, N.D. The dual is set to begin at 6 p.m. MT.
 
Match Results
149: No. 19 Sam Turner dec. Colten Carlson, 3-0 | UW 3, SDSU 0
157: No. 12 Archie Colgan dec. No. 10 Luke Silverberg, 5-3 | UW 6, SDSU 0
165: No. 14 Branson Ashworth major dec. Zach Carlson, 11-3 | UW 10, SDSU 0
174: No. 9 David Kocer major dec. Kyle Pope, 9-1 | UW 10, SDSU 4
184: Martin Mueller fall Chaz Polson (2:49) | UW 10, SDSU 10
197: No. 11 Nate Rotert major dec. Cody Vigoren, 13-1 | SDSU 14, UW 10
285: Alex Macki dec. Sam Eagan, 3-1 | SDSU 17, UW 10
125: Connor Brown dec. Drake Foster, 8-6 | SDSU 20, UW 10
133: No. 5 Montorie Bridges tech. fall Tyler Pieper, 22-7 | SDSU 20, UW 15
141: No. 1 Bryce Meredith dec. No. 1 Seth Gross, 4-2 | SDSU 20, UW 18