Feb. 12, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

OREM, Utah - Utah Valley University's wrestling team will look for their 11th win in a row Friday as the Wolverines (10-2, 3-0 WWC) host conference foe Wyoming (11-2, 2-0 WWC), in the Shurian Family Activity Center at 4 p.m.

A win for UVU over the Cowboys on Saturday will set a new school record in total victories with 11. The previous mark was set back in the 2003-04 season at 10-5, which was also the wrestling programs first year of existence. The Wolverines have already set a new high in wins in Western Wrestling Conference action this season as UVU, in its third season of competition in the WWC, has won three duals over WWC opponents so far this year, including two last weekend.

All-time against Wyoming, the Wolverines are 1-3, with their lone victory over the Cowpokes coming at Wyoming (26-19) back on Jan. 21, 2006.

Utah Valley lost its first two duals on the season at No. 2 Iowa State and at No. 10 Boise State. Since then the Wolverines have rattled off an impressive 10 dual win streak. Wyoming's only losses have come by hands of No. 1 Iowa and also No. 10 Boise State. On paper both the Wolverines and Cowboys look to have very similarly matched squads and this Friday should showcase a very tightly contested dual.

Last weekend UVU won all three of its duals on the road as the Wolverines won at South Dakota State (35-14), at North Dakota State (18-15), and on neutral territory against Minnesota State-Moorhead (31-13).

Following Wyoming, UVU will have one more dual matchup on the season as the Wolverines will welcome fellow conference opponent Air Force into town on Feb. 20, at 7 p.m., to close out the season.

OTHER INTERESTING NOTES:
Utah Valley sophomore heavyweight grappler Diego Avalon (Corpus Christi, Texas/Mary Carroll HS) is the reigning Western Wrestling Conference's Wrestler of the Week. Avalon led UVU to its 10th consecutive win last Saturday night at North Dakota State. Avalon, who is normally a 184 lbs. competitor, stepped up to wrestle at heavyweight for the Wolverines. With the dual score notched at 15 all, Avalon was able to beat the Bison's Tyler Hemmesch, 3-2, to give Utah Valley the 18-15 victory.

Also sophomore Benjamin Kjar finds himself back in the rankings at 125 lbs., as Kjar is currently ranked 19th in the country.

Special Promotion Available: A flyer is available for pick-up at the McKay Center Ticket Office for one dollar admission to today's dual against Wyoming. With that flyer in hand while entering the Shurian Family Activity Center fans will receive one dollar admission into today's matchup against the Cowboys.