LARAMIE – Wyoming will not be starting the wrestling season in a barn on Deerwood Ranch near Centennial or at Frontier Park in Cheyenne.
 
However, the Cowboys, ranked No. 25 in the preseason NWCA coaches poll, are participating in another event unique to this state.
 
UW will face Western Wyoming Community College at 5 p.m. Saturday in Rock Springs.
 
Mark Branch's team split the "Battle in the Barn" and "Dual at the Daddy" showdowns with Campbell the past two seasons.
 
"Let's go over there, let's give them a taste of that because it's going to be an awesome event," Branch, who is entering his 18^th season as UW's head coach, said on the One Wyoming Podcast. "There is no doubt it's going to be a packed gym and a fun dual. It's good for us to get in different parts of the state because there's a strong wrestling base in that Rock Springs, Green River and Rawlins area.
 
"They're going to come out and support it and they're going to support both teams, which is cool and special to this state."
 
The Mustangs have won the past two NJCAA national championships and enter the season ranked No. 1 at the junior college level.
 
The Pokes finished 12-6 in duals and 22^nd at the NCAA Championships in 2024. The team returns four of the five qualifiers from nationals.
 
Branch, who became the winningest coach in program history last season, is as excited about this team as any of his previous 17.
 
"It has been really enjoyable since the NCAAs," Branch said. "We had a good summer with a lot of guys around training, getting better and focused. The general vibe and energy that we've seem to me to be the best we've ever had. I know that says a lot, but the closeness of our team and the way they interact with each other has been fun as a coaching staff to sit back and observe. We know how powerful that can be heading into the season."
 
Two new Cowboys, Sefton Douglass (125 pounds) of Lyman and Cody Phelps (133) of Pinedale, began their college careers at Western Wyoming.

"They're Wyoming guys. When they came in this summer it was a matter of days before it felt like they'd been here forever," Branch said. "They know our program, they know this state, they know the fans, and they know this university. They just jumped in with both feet.
 
"When I talk about that positive aura and energy, those guys bring it and they were in here every day this summer pushing each other, getting extra workouts with coaches and you can see how bad they want to be successful."
 
UW's four returners with NCAA experience are Gabe Willochell (149), Jared Hill (157), Eddie Neitenbach (184) and Joey Novak (197).
 
Heavyweight Sam Mitchell is out of eligibility but remains at UW as a special assistant to the head coach. He will be working with the big guys, including impact Iowa State transfer Christian Carroll.
 
"(Mitchell) fell in love with this program, fell in love with this team and when I asked him if he'd be interested in sticking around and helping us coach, he jumped on that," Branch said. "That's going to be a big part of Christian's development and our other two heavyweights."
 
Novak, an All-American status last season, will be in Piscataway, N.J., on Saturday competing against Arkansas Little Rock's Stephen Little at the NWCA All-Star Classic. They are ranked third and fourth, respectively, in their weight class.
 
"It means a lot (to be selected) and Steven Little is a great competitor," Novak said. "He's really tough. He got me the first time, I got him back (in the NCAA championships) and I'm excited to show what I've been working on, show that I've been getting better this offseason."
 
Novak and the Cowboys will compete at the National Duals Nov. 15-16 in Tulsa, Okla., drawing Ohio State in the first dual. UW's home opener will be against top-ranked and four-time reigning national champion Penn State on Dec. 13 at the Arena-Auditorium.
 
"There's no doubt who they are and it's always awesome to step up and show who you are and show what you can do against the best," Branch said.
 
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.
 
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