Sports briefs

Kjar ranked 18th in national preseason poll

UVU’s sophomore wrestler Benjamin Kjar was ranked 18th in the nation in the preseason polls in the 125-pound weight division on Oct. 16 by the InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Division I Individual Rankings.

Kjar, from Centerville, Utah, lead UVU last year as a freshman with an impressive 39-9 overall record. His 39 wins were a tally that made him the Wolverines’ single-season record holder. He is one of the true leaders for Utah Valley on and off the mat. As a result, head wrestling coach Greg Williams has named Kjar a team-captain for his second consecutive season.

“Ben is very deserving of this ranking,” Coach Williams said. “This is definitely an important step in the right direction on his way to achieving his personal goal of becoming an All-American. It gives our program some national recognition and it is great to have him here.”

Kjar is a local talent. He was born in Pleasant Grove, Utah and prepped at Viewmont High School in Bountiful, Utah. At Viewmont, he was a three-time Utah State Champion and is also a three-time National Champion in 2002 in Folkstyle, Greco-Roman and Freestyle.

Kjar will look to lead the Wolverines when their season begins Nov. 1 at home at 7 p.m. with the Green and Gold Intrasquad Duals. Following the intrasquad, UVU will head up to Powell, Wyoming for the Northwest Open on Nov. 8 and then travel to Ames, Iowa where Utah Valley will square off against the number two-ranked squad in the nation, Iowa State, on Nov. 13.