LARAMIE, Wyo. (5/30/24) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team will have quite a bit of representation at U23 Nationals this weekend. A contingent of six Cowboys are slated to compete in a tournament held at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio, from Friday through Sunday.

Josh Kyle (60 kg), Brett McIntosh (72 kg), Stockton O'Brien (60 kg), David Saenz (60 kg), Cooper Voorhees (72 kg) and Gabe Willochell (67 kg) all take aim at the freestyle competition. Kyle and McIntosh will also compete in Greco-Roman.

"It will be a very tough national tournament, so we will put a lot of stock into their performance and effort," head coach Mark Branch said. "We've been happy with their desire to compete and get ready, so now they just need to go out and wrestle with aggression and confidence."

Willochell headlines the group. Just a couple months removed from an impressive NCAA Championships that saw him spring two upsets, Willochell is ranked No. 14 in his U23 bracket.

Voorhees will look to build off a season where we competed in his first-ever Big 12 Tournament. He placed eighth after a pair of victories.

McIntosh and O'Brien each saw time in the starting lineup in 2023-24, as well. Kyle and Saenz both competed sparingly.  

"These guys have been training since NCAAs, so they're well prepared," Branch said. "Most of these guys are trying to establish themselves in the lineup for next season, so this is a great opportunity to make a statement."

Each wrestler that wins their respective bracket advances to the U23 World Championships. That's held in late October in Tirana, Albania.