December 9, 2005
Opponent: Western State
Location: Orem, Utah (Activity Center)
Date: Saturday, December 10th
Time: 7:00pm
Live Stats: For live updates of Saturday's match click HERE
What's on Tap ...
Utah Valley State will open its home wrestling schedule Saturday night against Western State at 7:00pm in the Activity Center. The Wolverines are 0-1 in dual meets so far this season with their loss coming at the hands of #7 Iowa State in Ames, Iowa.
"These guys are ready," said Sanderson. "They've trained hard, they're in shape and very excited to finally be in front of their home crowd."
Utah Valley has wrestled in three straight tournaments since opening the season with the Cylcones. The match at Iowa State was a return to Wolverine coach Cody Sanderson's days as a collegiate wrestler in Ames. During his days as a Cyclone, Sanderson was a Big-XII Champion and an NCAA runner-up, something that the fans at Iowa State did not forget.
"It was nice. The people there are very friendly," said Sanderson. "Our team got a nice reception as well. But hopefully next time we go out there the welcome won't be so warm because we've closed the gap even further."
Tadzhimetov Invited to Elite Tournament ...
Utah Valley State senior wrestler Erkin Tadzhimetov has been invited to compete in one of the nation's most prestigious wrestling tournaments later this month. The Midlands Wrestling Championship, held December 29-30 in Evanston, Illinois on the campus of Northwestern University, is an invitation only tournament that comprises some of the most talented amateur wrestlers in the country.
Tadzhimetov, who is currently ranked 19th in the nation in the NWCA/InterMat poll at 133 lbs., lost his first two matches of the year last weekend at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational to the 9th and 11th ranked wrestlers in the nation.
"It's an honor just to be invited," said Sanderson. "It's just downright a tough tournament. It's great for Erkin to have the opportunity to compete at that level."
Sanderson should know, having competed in the tournament as a wrestler at Iowa State and then winning it his first year out of college.
"It's a huge stage for our program and will bring more recognition to what we're doing here," said Sanderson. "Every time we can put one of our athletes on that stage it's good for Utah Valley State wrestling."
Live Results ...
Saturday's match will feature updated results of each match at its completion. There will be a link at the top of the page for fans to click on that will take them to the live results page.
Scouting the Opposition ...
Western State comes into Saturday's match with a perfect 4-0 record in dual meets so far this season. They are currently ranked 18th in the nation in the Division II NWCA/Intermat poll.
"They are extremely tough," said Sanderson. "Every match, every bonus point, every takedown is going to be important."
The Mountaineers are members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), which also includes Adams State, Utah Valley's opponent on January 28th.
149 pound sophomore Camille DuPont is currently ranked 5th in the nation in his weight class by the NWCA/Intermat Wrestling Poll.
Third Time's the Charm ...
Saturday's match is scheduled to pit 141 pounders Daniel Polkowske and Chris Freije against one another for the third time this season.
The two met at the Old Chicago Northern Colorado Open on November 19th and then again at the Las Vegas Invitational on December 2nd. Utah Valley's Polkowske won both times, (7-5 & 10-7).
On the Western State side of things, Utah Valley's Mark South has gone 0-for-2 against Larry Wilbanks at 165 pounds. The two are also scheduled to go head-to-head Saturday night.
Wolverine junior Talon Vickers has also met a Western opponent this season. At the Old Chicago Northern Colorado Open, Vickers pinned Freshman Eddie Lopez just 1:20 into the match.
Youth is Served ...
Utah Valley State is getting nice contributions from some of its younger wrestlers. Daniel Polkowske is one in particular that has had some success, currently holding a 8-7 record on the season. After a loss to the #2 ranked wrestler in the nation, Iowa State's Nate Gallick, in his first collegiate match, Polkowske won his next two matches.
At the UNC Open, he ended up winning five times and nearly placed in the top six in the tournament. Freshman Rodney Sager has also been impressive in his only tournament this year. Sager swept the competition while wrestling unattached at the Cowboy Open's 20 & Under Division to take 1st place. He is red shirting this season as he is stuck behind Tadzhimetov at 133 pounds.
Coming Up Next ...
The Wolverines wrestle next weekend in the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nevada. Like the Las Vegas Invitational, it will provide top notch competition and give UV a good measuring stick on its progress.
Following the Reno Tournament, the Wolverines will have the rest of the holidays off before returning to action at the Lonestar Duals in Arlington Texas on January 7th, 2006.
They will wrestle four schools beginning with Harvard at 9:00am MST, followed by Navy (11:00am MST), Oklahoma (3:00pm MST) and Central Oklahoma (7:00pm MST).
