LARAMIE, Wyoming (1/16/26) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team is back home and set to host No. 10 South Dakota State on Sunday. The dual is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside the UniWyo Sports Complex. It will be broadcast on Flo and the Mountain West Network.
The Cowboys are in the middle of the season's third month, and they've only been home once. Take it step further, and the Pokes haven't competed inside the UniWyo Sports Complex since the 2024-25 season – their only competition in Laramie this season was a dual inside the Arena-Auditorium.
It's not difficult to predict that head coach
Mark Branch and his squad are happy to be home.
"It's nice to be back home," Branch said. "I think that's the thing I'm most excited about. It's a lot easier on our guys. Being on the road kind of takes a toll on you. You don't have as much time to get recovery in or to get the proper treatment. Being at home gives us a little time to catch our breath."
True to form for this season, Sunday's dual will encompass another top 10 squad. It'll mark Wyoming's fourth dual against a top 10 team in 2025-26, having already gone against No. 1 Penn State, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 7 Virginia Tech.
"I have no doubt that we have one of the toughest strengths of schedule of anyone in the country," Branch said. "This is another experience that should help us down the road. When you face the best of the best, it helps create a mindset in March of not worrying so much. You know who you are, you've been in really big environments and you're battle tested. You can build confidence from that."
Even amidst that difficult beginning, Wyoming is 3-3 on the season and 2-0 in Big 12 action. The Jackrabbits – who travel to Utah Valley on Friday night – hold an 8-1 record and a 1-0 mark in league play.
South Dakota State's probable lineup for Sunday features eight ranked guys, headlined by No. 6 Bennett Berge (197). No. 16 Julian Tagg (141), No. 17 Cael Swensen (157), No. 18 Moses Espinoza-Owens (174), No. 19 Brady Roark (125), No. 19 Luke Rasmussen (HWT), No. 21 Alek Martin (149) and No. 27 Marcus Espinoza-Owens (165) are the other ranked wrestlers.
Wyoming trots out six ranked grapplers in the probable lineup. No. 9
Christian Carroll (HWT) spearheads the effort followed by No. 12
Eddie Neitenbach (184), No. 18
Gabe Willochell (149), No. 28
Luke Willochell (133), No. 29
Riley Davis (174) and No. 32
Jared Hill (157).
The Pokes lead the all-time series with South Dakota State, 16-8, however the Jackrabbits have held the upper hand during the last few matchups. They've defeated Wyoming each of the last four meetings, including last year's 31-3 win in Brookings.
Following the dual with South Dakota State, Wyoming heads back out on the road. The Cowboys travel to No. 22 West Virginia on Jan. 24 for a 4 p.m. dual inside Hope Coliseum.
