Jan. 31, 2009

Final Results

OREM, Utah - Utah Valley University's wrestling team won their seventh consecutive dual of the season and their opening Western Wrestling Conference dual as the Wolverines (7-2, 1-0 WWC) defeated Northern Colorado (4-10-1, 2-2 WWC) 23-16 Saturday night in the Shurian Family Activity Center.

"Streaks are great, but we are focusing on one match at a time," UVU head wrestling coach Greg Williams said. "What's great about our team right now is that they are together. They are working hard and they believe in themselves, they have been getting better with every match. Tonight was kind of like getting over the hump for us as we are climbing up and getting better and better in our conference."

With UVU up 20-16 going into the final match of the evening Utah Valley sophomore Benjamin Kjar (125) got some revenge after losing to his competitor three times last season as Kjar downed the No. 18 ranked Tony Mustari from UNC 7-4. Kjar took the early hand in the matchup as the he took down his Mustari just 40 seconds into the match. At the end of the first period Kjar stretched his lead to 6-2 over Mustari. Late in the third period, Mustari pushed it within two (6-4) but Kjar held on and also added an insurance point of riding time, winning by three. With the win, Kjar improved his season record to 24-8 (8-1 duals).

Ben's (Kjar) match was huge tonight," Coach Williams added. "I told him that the team is already taken care of here tonight just go out there and take care of yourself, and that is exactly what he did. Ben wrestled very smart tonight."

UVU sophomore Flint Ray (133) started the Wolverines off on the right foot as Ray ended up pinning UNC's Brett Bahe 6:40 into the match, giving Utah Valley the early 6-0 lead. Following Ray's victory, UVU fell in the next three matchups as Jeffrey Newby (141), Justin Morrill (149), and Jamison Moss (157) all lost to their respective opponents from Northern Colorado causing the Wolverines to trail 6-13. At 165-pounds UVU sophomore Jeb Clark helped his club by winning via major decision (12-1) as he downed UNC's Tanner Weiks putting the score at 10-13.

After Clark's victory, Utah Valley won three more consecutive matches starting with UVU's Brad Darrington (174), as he held his opponent scoreless winning 9-0 earning the Wolverines four points. Darrington win gave UVU a 14-13 lead. Utah Valley's Casen Eldredge (184) then held on to win his match by three, winning 10-7. At 197-pounds UVU freshman Adam Fager dominated UNC's Eric Brennan winning 7-2 and improving Fager's team-lead in victories on the season to 29-9 (7-2 duals). Fager's win put the Wolverines up 20-13 with only two matches remaining.

At heavyweight for Utah Valley, sophomore Diego Avalon did a solid job in his matchup as he gave up around 100 pounds as well as a large height advantage to his competitor from UNC Justin Tuell. Avalon lost to Tuell (7-2) but did a good job to avoid getting pinned as he lost via decision, only giving the Bears three points.

With the victory Utah Valley wins their seventh consecutive dual match on the season. The 7-2 overall record gives the Wolverines their best start in school history. This was also UVU's opening Western Wrestling Conference dual on the season with four more conference duals to come.

The Wolverines will continue conference action next weekend, Feb. 6 and 7, in the Dakota's as UVU will compete at South Dakota State next Friday evening and at North Dakota State next Saturday. At NDSU, UVU will also square-off against Minnesota State-Moorhead.