University of Wyoming Athletics

Branson Ashworth enters his sixth season as an assistant coach. He spearheads most of the operations of Wyoming wrestling and primarily works with the middle and heavyweights. In Ashworth’s time as a coach, Wyoming has produced four All-Americans, 22 NCAA qualifiers and two Big 12 Champions.

The 2024-25 season saw Wyoming finish 22nd at the NCAA Championships following a 12-6 dual season. Joey Novak (197) captured an All-American honor with a fifth-place finish. Four other Pokes punched a ticket to NCAAs, as well.

The 2023-24 season saw Jore Volk (125) capture a Big 12 title along with All-American status at the NCAA Championships. Gabe Willochell (149) and Novak (197) also made it to NCAAs, both logging a pair of wins once there.

The 2022-23 season saw Volk place fifth at the Big 12 Tournament and qualify for his first NCAAs. Jacob Wright (157) capped his career with a third-place finish at the conference tourney and another Championships appearance. Cole Moody (165) also punched a ticket to NCAAs.

The 2021-22 season saw an All-American in Stephen Buchanan (197) who finished third at the NCAA Championships. That was the tip of the spear where a total of seven Pokes made it to NCAAs, as Wyoming logged a 23rd-place finish.

The 2020-21 season saw the Cowboys finish fourth at the Big 12 Tournament with a record number of four Pokes competing in the title bout. Ashworth was also instrumental in Buchanan’s run to becoming the 36th All-American in program history.

While coaching the Cowboys his first couple of seasons, Ashworth also competed on the freestyle circuit. He picked up an impressive win over Dan Vallimont at the Summit 1 freestyle event. At the Last Chance U.S. Olympic Trial Qualifiers, Ashworth went 3-3 with a win over the No. 1 seed.

Ashworth is a 2019 graduate of Wyoming. He enjoyed a decorated career as a Poke, finishing his career with 121 wins, which ranks sixth all-time in program history. Ashworth also made three trips to the NCAA Championships. Ashworth graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology.