TULSA, Oklahoma (11/15/25) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team had a tough time at the National Duals Invitational on Saturday inside the BOK Center. The No. 24 Cowboys lost to No. 4 Ohio State, 33-6, in the first round and fell to No. 10 Virginia Tech, 25-12, in the opening round of the consolation bracket.

On paper, the Pokes weren't expected to have a whole bunch of team success in Tulsa. The tournament encompassed 10 of the top 12 teams in the NWCA Coaches' Poll.

But what disappointed head coach Mark Branch was his team's attitude toward the competition. He wanted his squad to shoot their shot and wrestle like they had nothing to lose and not everyone in Brown and Gold did that.

"I expected more," Branch said. "We knew what we were facing coming here. You're hitting two top-10 teams, and that's fine. It's about the fight and toughness. If you're going out against the best guys in the country, let's not try and save face, but let's go out and compete and win. We didn't compete hard enough. I was disappointed."

Wyoming showed some grit in its consolation dual against the Hokies. After falling behind, 14-0, through three weight classes, the Cowboys claimed a win in four of the next five to thrust themselves back into contention.

No. 22 Gabe Willochell (149) got the comeback train rolling with a 10-8 decision over Noah Nininger. It was Willochell's first start of the season, following a pair of starts for Antonio Avila (149).

No. 15 Jared Hill (157) logged a, 9-6, sudden victory win over Colling Gaj to creep Wyoming to within, 14-6, in the team tally. Riley Davis (174) realigned the comeback bid, boasting his first-career ranked win, edging out No. 23 Sergio Desiante via decision, 5-4.

Eddie Neitenbach (184) drew Wyoming even closer with a 5-3 decision win over No. 22 Jaden Bullock, however, that's where the rally ended. No. 4 Joey Novak (197) fell to No. 22 Sonny Sasso by major decision, 12-2, and No. 26 Christian Carroll (HWT) lost to No. 18 Jimmy Mullen via decision, 5-4.  

"The guys scrapped back and found a way to get themselves back in it and gave themselves a chance to win," Branch said. "We just didn't close out those last two matches the way you hoped. We certainly can learn a lot from that and this tournament."

Novak was one of two who logged a win in the first-round matchup with the Buckeyes. He dispatched of No. 10 Luke Geog via decision, 7-0. Sloan Swan (165) also claimed a win, defeating e'than Birden by decision, 5-3.

Wyoming remains on the road and opens Big 12 Conference play next weekend. The Cowboys travel to Cal Baptist on Nov. 22 for a 7 p.m. dual inside the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center.   

No. 4 Ohio State 33 | No. 24 Wyoming 6
125: No. 16 Brendan McCrone (Ohio State) decision Sefton Douglass (Wyoming), 9-3
133: No. 8 Ben Davino (Ohio State) technical fall David Saenz (Wyoming), 17-2
141: No. 1 Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) fall John Alden (Wyoming), :33
149: Maddox Shaw (Ohio State) major decision Antonio Avila (Wyoming), 8-0
157: No. 8 Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) technical fall No. 15 Jared Hill (Wyoming), 18-3
165: Sloan Swan (Wyoming) decision e'than Birden (Ohio State), 5-3
174: No. 7 Carson Kharchla (Ohio State) major decision Riley Davis (Wyoming), 15-6
184: No. 7 Dylan Fishback (Ohio State) decision No. 10 Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming), 10-7
197: No. 4 Joey Novak (Wyoming) decision No. 10 Luke Geog (Ohio State), 7-0
HWT: No. 6 Nick Feldman (Ohio State) decision No. 26 Christian Carroll (Wyoming), 7-3

No. 10 Virginia Tech 25 | No. 24 Wyoming 12
125: No. 4 Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) major decision Sefton Douglass (Wyoming), 14-3
133: No. 11 Dillon Campbell (Virginia Tech) technical fall David Saenz (Wyoming), 19-0
141: No. 17 Tom Crook (Virginia Tech) technical fall John Alden (Wyoming), 21-5
149: No. 22 Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) decision Noah Nininger (Virginia Tech), 10-8
157: No. 15 Jared Hill (Wyoming) sudden victory Colling Gaj (Virginia Tech), 9-6
165: No. 27 Mac Church (Virginia Tech) major decision Sloan Swan (Wyoming), 12-3
174: Riley Davis (Wyoming) decision No. 23 Sergio Desiante (Virginia Tech), 5-4
184: No. 10 Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) decision No. 22 Jaden Bullock (Virginia Tech), 5-3
197: No. 23 Sonny Sasso (Virginia Tech) major decision No. 4 Joey Novak (Wyoming), 12-2
HWT: No. 19 Jimmy Mullen (Virginia Tech) decision No. 26 Christian Carroll (Wyoming), 5-4