SDSU no match in conference opener

Utah Valley won its first ever Western Wrestling Conference dual in convincing fashion over South Dakota State, 39-4.

The Wolverines recorded wins in nine out of the 10 matches on the night, and improved to 4-2 (1-0 WWC) in duals this season while the Jacks dropped to 0-2 (0-1 WWC).

"We have a great group of guys…they are working very hard," said UV head coach Greg Williams. "We wrestled offensively and were aggressive. This is a good win."

Casen Eldredge put Utah Valley out in front 6-0 after the opening match when he pinned Tyler Sorenson with 25 seconds left in the second period in the 174-pound match.

At 184 pounds Mark Dennis increased Utah Valley’s lead to 9-0 with an 8-2 decision over Jeremy Swier. Dennis took a 2-0 lead with a takedown late in the opening period. He doubled that lead with another takedown at the 1:33 mark of the second to take control of the match.

Billy Green kept South Dakota State off the scoreboard when he outlasted Brady Punt at 285 pounds in a 5-2 decision to give the Wolverines a 12-0 lead.

Ben Kjar won his 26th match of the season when he made quick work of Alan Marvin, winning by fall just 1:37 into the match. Kjar’s win gave the Wolverines a commanding 18-0 lead.

Derek Pirner got the Jacks only win of the night by major decision over Logan Wilson.

Sam Allen notched his 20th win of the season when he pinned Marc Wermersen with 25 seconds left in the first. Allen’s pin clinched the win for Utah Valley, giving the Wolverines a 27-4 lead with just three matches left.

Nate Kearsley and Sean Flynn were locked in a good battle at 157 pounds when Flynn was forced to withdraw with just 17 seconds left in the match due to an injury. Up to that point, it had been one of the most competitive matches of the night with Kearsley scoring six straight points after falling behind 6-2 in the opening period.

Utah Valley will be back home for the Utah Valley Open, taking place all day Saturday.