February 22, 2006

Opponent: Air Force
Location: Greeley, Colorado  
Date: Thursday, February 23rd 
Time: 4:00pm MST 
Live Updates: For live updates of the match click HERE

Opponent: Northern Colorado 
Location: Greeley, Colorado 
Date: Thursday, February 23rd 
Time: 8:00pm MST 
Live Updates: For live updates of the match click HERE

What's on Tap ... 
Utah Valley State closes out its 2005-06 wrestling season with the Air Force Falcons and Northern Colorado Bears on Thursday in Greeley, Colorado. They will wrestle Air Force at 4:00pm before taking on Northern Colorado at 8:00pm. The Falcons and Bears will wrestle one another at 6:00pm. 

It will be the final matches for seniors Erkin Tadzhimetov and Ivan Bigney. Tadzhimetov carries a 28-8 record overall and 14-2 record in duals into the final two matches and has a chance at 30 wins on the year.

The Wolverines have a shot at reaching .500 with two wins as they currently stand at 7-9 on the season. Utah Valley State has won five out of its last six matches heading into Thursday's duals.

In 2004-05, Tanner Cowan was the only Wolverine to finish above .500 on the season, but this season six or seven UV wrestlers can finish at or over that mark with wins this week.

Tadzhimetov and Talon Vickers (20-10) both have 20 win seasons while Ivan Bigney (14-12), Daniel Polkowske (16-15), Justin Rawle (16-17), Clayton Wolf (4-4), and Dallin Norton (12-13) all have shots to move above .500 with two matches remaining.

About the Opposition ...
Air Force dropped to 2-6 in duals on the season after a 33-12 loss to Wyoming on February 17th. Brandon Strong and Jake Kreigbaum both scored win on the mat for the Falcons in the match.

Northern Colorado is 6-8 following a big 38-9 win over Eastern Illinois on the 19th of February. They are led by 197 pound Reece Hopkin, who is ranked 20th in the nation in his weight class.

In January the Bears came from nine points down to top Utah Valley State 23-21 in Orem. The Wolverines won four out of the seven matches that took place, but forfeited two matches that proved costly.