Jan. 26, 2008
Results (pdf) 
GUNNISON, Colo. Benjamin Kjar and Jeffrey Newby were both a perfect 4-0 on Saturday as Utah Valley earned a 2-2 split at the Tracy Borah Duals in Gunnison, Colorado.
The Wolverines (7-8, 1-1 WWC) recorded lopsided wins against Mesa State and Grand Canyon but suffered a defeat against host Western State and lost in a tight match to New Mexico Highlands.
"Our guys went out and fought. We're banged up a little bit and we kept some guys out," said head coach Greg Williams. "That said, we've got to start challenging ourselves in areas that keep presenting themselves. We are way ahead of where were last year but we've got to keep making those jumps."
Kjar was dominant in three of his matches Saturday, winning twice by fall and once by major decision. He defeated Western State's Eddie Lopez, 4-3, in his tightest match of the day. The victories improved Kjar's school-record total to 35 wins on the year.
"He's exciting to watch and he's getting more and more confident," said Williams of Kjar. "It's nice to have somebody that you know is going to compete every time out against anyone."
In the opening dual of the day for UV, a 34-6 win over Mesa State, the Wolverines won each of the seven matches that took place with both teams earning six points due to forfeits. Neither team was able to field a wrestler at 133 pounds.
Kjar (125 pounds) and Fenwick (174 pounds) both won their matches against Mesa State by fall while Newby earned a major decision win.
Against host Western State, Utah Valley got wins from Kjar and Newby, but were forced to forfeit at 133 and 165 pounds and fell 37-6.
The Wolverines third dual of the day came down to the final match, an overtime battle between Billy Green and New Mexico Highland's Jesse Boggs. Boggs scored on a takedown in OT to give NMH the narrow 18-14 win over UV.
In addition to Kjar, who won at 133 pounds, and Newby, Nathan Gardner and Casen Eldredge also picked up wins for the Wolverines.
The final dual of the day saw Utah Valley roll to a 33-12 victory over Grand Canyon. Five of the 10 matches were decided by forfeit, with the Wolverines benefitting in four of those instances.
Overall, Nathan Gardner won three times while Eldredge and Mark Dennis both won twice on the day.
Next up for the Wolverines is conference foe North Dakota State on Monday at 7pm in the Shurian Family Activity Center.
"It's gut-check time on Monday," said Williams. "Our guys are going to come out pumped up and ready to go in front of our home crowd."
Both Utah Valley and NSDU are 1-1 in conference action. Both teams have defeated South Dakota State while the Wolverines lost at Air Force on Friday and the Bison lost at Northern Colorado on Saturday.
