Wrestling: Wolverines split double header in Iowa

Photo courtesy UVU Athletics

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa–The Utah Valley University wrestlers looked to build upon their successes from last week’s Cowboy Open as they headed east Friday to open their dual slate against a pair of opponents in the state of Iowa Nov. 11. The Wolverines faced University of Nebraska-Kearney on Friday in Cedar Falls, Iowa before taking on 23rd-ranked Northern Iowa later in the afternoon.

UVU came out on top over Division II 6th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney in their first match of the day, winning 35-6. However the Wolverines were unable to keep up the momentum in the second match as they fell to Northern Iowa 24-12.

Utah Valley got out to a hot start against UNK as Mitchell Brown and Jarod Maynes won their respective bouts at 125 pounds and 133 pounds. The Lopers responded with a win of their own when Jeff Bizzle was able to pin UVU’s Trevor Willson at 141 pounds. The Wolverines silenced any upset hopes UNK may have had, however, as the loss at 141 pounds was the only defeat UVU suffered during the match.

The Wolverines found the competition much stiffer in their second match of the afternoon as Northern Iowa featured five ranked wrestlers. UVU won the opening match as Mitch Brown defeated UNI’s Jay Schwarm at 125 pounds. The Panthers answered back in a big way, however, as they went on to win four straight and seven of the remaining nine bouts. The Wolverines other two winners were Koy Wilkinson at 165 pounds and Tanner Orndorff at 197 pounds.

The Wolverines will wrap up their road trip by traveling to Ames, Iowa, where they will participate in the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open on Sunday, Nov. 13 on the campus of Iowa State University.