Feb. 4, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
Utah Valley University's wrestling team will try to keep their seven match win streak alive this weekend as the Wolverines (7-2, 1-0 WWC) travel to the Dakota's to take on conference foes South Dakota State, Friday at 6 p.m., and North Dakota State, Saturday at 6:30 p.m. UVU will also compete against Minnesota State-Moorhead in Fargo, N.D. on Saturday evening.
The Wolverines are coming off of their first conference win of the season in their first attempt as UVU beat Northern Colorado last Saturday at home 23-16. Utah Valley sophomore Benjamin Kjar came up huge for the Wolverines as he won the final bout of the evening over the No. 18 nationally ranked Tony Mustari, 7-4, which sealed the win for UVU. Kjar was recognized for his efforts by the WWC, as he is the current Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week. This marked the second time on the season that Kjar has won the award.
UVU will first be tested in Brookings, S.D. on Friday night, as the Wolverines will take on the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. The Jacks are 7-8-1 (0-3 WWC) on the season and UVU got the best of SDSU last year in Orem winning 39-4. SDSU has fallen to fellow WWC schools Northern Colorado (29-15), Wyoming (38-7), and most recently Air Force (31-19) on the season. Last year's victory for the Wolverines over the Jacks marked the first WWC win in the school's history.
The Wolverines will then travel to Fargo, N.D. to take on the Bison of North Dakota State and the Dragons of Minnesota State-Moorhead Saturday evening. NDSU is currently 3-8-1 (1-2 WWC) on the year. Last weekend North Dakota State picked up their lone conference victory at Air Force (23-17). NDSU has also fallen to Wyoming and Northern Colorado on the season. In UVU's last meeting against NDSU the Wolverines fell 23-10 last season at home. Utah Valley is winless against North Dakota State all-time, with 0-4 clip.
MSU Moorhead is a Div. II school and currently 6-7 on the season. Saturday's matchup will mark the first in school history.
