Complete Wolverine Duals Results (PDF)

OREM, Utah - On the scoreboard it was a tough Saturday for Utah Valley State's wrestling team. The Wolverines hosted a four-team dual in the Activity Center, losing in all three of their matches.

In the marquee match-up against 5th ranked Iowa State, the Wolverines fell 41-15, and while the score was lopsided, coach Sanderson was happy with his team's effort. "Our guys fought hard, we just outright got beat by a better team."

Injuries took their toll on Utah Valley. The usual starter at heavyweight Cory Bastian was out sick, causing Sanderson to use freshman Dugan Whitman against Iowa State senior Scott Coleman. Coleman ended the match early by pinning Whitman in the 2nd period, but Sanderson was proud of his young heavyweight.

Earlier in the day, Utah Valley had its chances against Adams State. Thanks in part to two Adams State forfeits, the Wolverines took a 19-6 lead, but fell in the final four matches and losing 22-19. Maybe the wrestlers had Iowa State on their minds, but regardless, Sanderson was not happy with the way the first match went. "We wrestled the worst I've seen as a coach. I don't know what happened."

Sandwiched in between those two matches, Utah Valley struggled against Boise State, losing 30-12. Tanner Cowan was a bright spot for the Wolverines as he pinned Luke Salazar of Boise State in the 157 lb. weight class.

Talon Vickers was one of the stars of the day for Utah Valley State, the 125 lb. sophomore went 2-1 in his three matches, coming up with the only win other than a forfeit against Iowa State.

Coach Sanderson was happy to see his alma mater, Iowa State, make the trip to Utah, especially for the experience his wrestlers gained going up against some of the top wrestlers in the country. "Those Paulson twins (for Iowa State) are real good. Some of our guys hadn't ever wrestled someone like that, but the experience we gained is great because now they have."

Cody's brother, Olympic champion Cael Sanderson is an assistant for Iowa State, and was very complimentary of the strides his older sibling is making as a coach.

"I'm real impressed with the program; with the limitations he has, and a 2nd year program, he's done an extraordinary job."

Getting a top-notch school like Iowa State to come to Utah is a big stepping stone for Utah Valley State's wrestling program, it's help that Cael Sanderson is happy to lend to his brother.

"We're out here to help out UVSC a little bit and give Utah crowds an opportunity to watch a top program."

Up next for Utah Valley is to Las Vegas on December 3-4 for the Las Vegas Invitational. Their final match before the New Year will be December 19th at the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nevada.