LAS VEGAS, Nevada - The Utah Valley State wrestling team gained valuable experience wrestling against some of the top teams in the country in an open tournament in Las Vegas.

Tanner Cowan and Justin Rawle wrestled well in the two-day tournament. Cowan won three matches and Rawle won two.

"They had a good two days," Utah Valley coach Cody Sanderson said. "This is probably the toughest tournament and we have been extended an invitation to come back next year."

As a team Sanderson said his guys competed well against wrestlers from Ohio State, Arizona State, Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

"They fought hard," he said. "We had a couple of guys go against No.1 ranked guys and they competed hard. They were just more experienced and stronger. I was happy with our effort."

Utah Valley has two weeks off before heading off to a tournament at Nevada Reno. During the tournament they will compete against Oklahoma State, the No. 1 ranked team in the country.