LARAMIE, Wyo. (Feb. 9, 2018) – The Wyoming wrestling team picked up its fourth-straight dual victory with a 38-4 win against No. 25 Utah Valley on Friday night. The Pokes, ranked No. 17 in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll earned their third win against a ranked opponent this season.

UW (11-3, 5-2 Big 12) tallied nine wins against the Wolverines (8-4, 4-2 Big 12). Three came with bonus points, plus a forfeit at 165 pounds. The win also proved to be the tenth straight victory against Utah Valley. Furthermore, head coach Mark Branch stretches his record to 10-0 against UVU.

"We were the underdogs at a few of the heavy weights tonight," Branch said. "But it was good to see us pick up those wins. Those were big wins for us and definitely swung things in our favor. I think it showed at times tonight, but when were at home and at elevation, we should have a little more gas in the tank. The score may not indicate it, but we were also a little flat at some weights. I think we can come out tomorrow with intensity and hopefully have a similar end result. It should be fun tomorrow with a good number of alumni watching in the stands."

Senior Bryce Meredith easily put the Brown and Gold on the scoreboard first. He pinned Matt Findlay in the second period to give UW an early 6-0 advantage. The win was the 100th career victory against Division I opponents for the Cheyenne native. He now has 85 wins while wearing the Brown and Gold after earning 15 during his freshman season at NC State.

Redshirt freshman Sam Turner earned himself a comeback win over Matthew Ontiveros. Like Meredith, Turner picked up the pinned in the second period. Senior Archie Colgan followed with a dominating tech fall over Raider Lofthouse. Colgan, who now has three techs this season, totaled three takedowns on way to the 16-1 victory.

At 165 pounds, junior Branson Ashworth won via forfeit. The victory brought UW to a 23-0 lead after four matches. Senior Chaz Polson earned an 8-6 decision over Gary Jantzer at 184 pounds. Polson fell behind in the first period but outscored Jantzer 6-2 from the second frame on. With 46 seconds left, Polson scored a takedown for the sudden victory.

Senior Luke Paine picked up a big 3-2 decision over NCAA Qualifier Tanner Orndorff. Paine got on the board first with a takedown before two escapes from Orndorff evened the score. With one second remaining in the final period, Paine slipped away for the escape and victory. At 285 pounds, Sam Eagan followed Paine with a narrow 7-6 decision over 26th-ranked Dustin Dennison. Eagan scored a takedown in overtime with ten seconds remaining to earn his second-straight win. It was also his first win against a ranked opponent.

At 125 pounds, Drake Foster kept up with the winning ways as he earned an 11-5 decision over Josh Jensen. Foster scored four takedowns in the solid victory. Redshirt freshman Montorie Bridges closed out the dual with an 8-4 decision over Durbin Lloren. Despite a stall warning point, the 133 pound bout was controlled throughout by Bridges, as he only gave up one escape. With the win, Bridges has now won 18-straight matches.

Wyoming is back on the mat tomorrow night as it hosts Northern Colorado for Senior Night. The dual is set to begin at 6 p.m. MT from the Arena-Auditorium. Additionally, former Pokes in attendance will be recognized at intermission.

Match Results
141: Meredith fall (3:56) over Findlay (UW 6-0)
149: Turner fall (4:37) over Ontiveros (UW 12-0)
157: Colgan tech. fall over Lofthouse 16-1 (UW 17-0)
165: Ashworth winner by forfeit (UW 23-0)
174: Bastian maj. dec. over Kreuger 10-2 (UW 23-4)
184: Polson dec. over Jantzer 8-6 (UW 26-4)
197: Paine dec. over Orndorff 3-2 (UW 29-4)
285: Eagan dec. over Dennison 7-6 (UW 32-4)
125: Foster dec. over Jensen 11-5 (UW 35-4)
133: Bridges dec. over Lloren 8-4 (UW 38-4)