LARAMIE, Wyoming (2/8/26) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team capped its win-filled and aggressive weekend on Sunday inside the UniWyo Sports Complex. The No. 25 Cowboys defeated North Dakota State, 30-9, to improve to 6-5 on the season and 5-1 in Big 12 action.
"The guys just came out as we asked and were more aggressive and wrestled harder through all positions," head coach
Mark Branch said. "These last two duals, we showed a lot more hustle and we certainly took pride in what we were doing. Guys that weren't scoring and opening up their offense were more aggressive and found their offense. It leads to good results whenever you wrestle hard."
Sunday also brought the return of All-American
Joey Novak (197). The No. 6 ranked wrestler in the country had missed the last month with injury and was eager to compete again en route to boasting a ranked victory. Novak defeated No. 28 Devin Wasley via decision, 8-1.
"He's been chomping at the bit," Branch said. "It sucks not being out there and not wrestling for the team, and I think that had been weighing on him. I know he was excited to get back out there, and I thought he wrestled great. It was awesome to see him open up and get into some pretty aggressive positions."
Novak's win was dominant, but it certainly wasn't the most lopsided Wyoming win of the day. The Cowboys registered five bonus-point wins Sunday.
No. 27
Gabe Willochell (149) had the first. He beat Devon Harrison via technical fall, 17-1, which gave Wyoming an 11-5 advantage on the team score.
Sloan Swan (165) continued in his winning ways. He's now won four of his past five matches, as he defeated Boeden Greenley on Sunday by major decision, 15-2.
No. 31
Riley Davis (174) recorded his second bonus-point win in as many bouts. He downed Max Magayna via major decision, 9-1.
No. 9
Eddie Neitenbach (184) got himself yet another ranked win – his team-leading eighth. He disposed of No. 28 Aidan Brenot via major decision, 14-3, which mathematically put the dual out of reach at 23-9.
No. 8
Christian Carroll (HWT) capped the victory with an 11-3 major decision win over Shilo Jones. No. 25
Luke Willochell (133) and
David Saenz (141) rounded out the victorious Pokes with a pair of decisions.
Wyoming is back in action Friday. The Cowboys travel to Northern Colorado for a 6 p.m. dual inside Back of Colorado Arena.
No. 25 Wyoming 30 | North Dakota State 9
125: No. 17 Ezekiel Witt (North Dakota State) technical fall
Tucker Bowen (Wyoming), 19-4 (6:45)
133: No. 25
Luke Willochell (Wyoming) decision Tristan Daugherty (North Dakota State), 3-1
141:
David Saenz (Wyoming) decision Michael Olson (North Dakota State), 4-1
149: No. 27
Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) technical fall Devon Harrison (North Dakota State), 17-1 (5:21)
157: Gavin Drexler (North Dakota State) major decision No. 30
Jared Hill (Wyoming), 11-2
165:
Sloan Swan (Wyoming) major decision Boeden Greenley (North Dakota State), 15-2
174: No. 31
Riley Davis (Wyoming) major decision Max Magayna (North Dakota State), 9-1
184: No. 9
Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) major decision No. 28 Aidan Brenot (North Dakota State), 14-3
197: No. 6
Joey Novak (Wyoming) decision No. 28 Devin Wasley (North Dakota State), 8-1
HWT: No. 8
Christian Carroll (Wyoming) major decision Shilo Jones (North Dakota State), 11-3
Extra Match
Antonio Avila (Wyoming) major decision Gabriel Gallardo (North Dakota State), 14-5
