Jan. 7, 2011

Final Results

Play-by-Play

OREM, Utah - Utah Valley University opened Western Wrestling Conference action on Friday in the Activity Center, scoring a 25-13 dual win over Northern Colorado in front of 1,144 fans.

It was the first dual of the 2010-11 season for the Wolverines (1-0, 1-0 WWC), who will now prep for Saturday's UVU Open before heading to the Lone Star Duals next Saturday.

"All the way through the lineup you just try to progress. We feel like we have a great lineup if everybody's healthy. A real good team," said UVU head coach Greg Williams.

Wrestling without reigning WWC champion Flint Ray at 133, UVU was able to benefit from forfeits at 141 and 174 lbs. with Justin Morrill and Brad Darrington picking up wins. The two teams split the remaining eight bouts.

Northern Colorado (0-3, 0-1 WWC) got a 3-0 decision from Casey Cruz to open the match and take a 3-0 advantage before the forfeit at 141 gave the Wolverines a 6-3 lead.

At 149, freshman Avery Garner stayed with UNC All-American and No. 13 Justin Gaethje for two periods, trailing 7-5 after five minutes. Gaethje pulled away in the third period to score a major decision, 18-7.

"Even though he lost, Avery just got back from a mission, we bumped him up a weight and I loved the fact that he went out there and fought against the No. 13 kid in the nation," said Williams.

Josh Wilson made it 9-7 Utah Valley with a narrow 2-1 decision at 157 over Tanner Weiks before UVU's Jeb Clark used a pair of near falls to stop Brandon Kammerzell, 9-3, at 165.

After the forfeit at 174, Casen Eldredge shutout Cody McAninch at 184, 8-0, to pick a major decision to give UVU a 22-7 lead overall.

Northern Colorado won the next two matches but both were by decision, clinching the dual for Utah Valley.

The final bout of the evening had No. 12 Benjamin Kjar score a late takedown in the second period before holding off Sam Bauer in the third to win 3-1 at 125 lbs.

FINAL RESULTS
Utah Valley 25, Northern Colorado 13
133: Casey Cruz (UNC) DEC over Paul Johnson, 3-0
141: Justin Morrill (UVU) wins by forfeit
149: #13 Justin Gaethje (UNC) MD over Avery Garner, 18-7
157: Josh Wilson (UVU) DEC over Tanner Weiks, 2-1
165: Jeb Clark (UVU) DEC over Brandon Kammerzell, 9-3
174: Brad Darrington (UVU) wins by forfeit
184: Casen Eldredge (UVU) MD over Cody McAninch, 8-0
197: Nick Bayer (UNC) DEC over Trevor Rupp, 7-0
285: Konner Knudtsen (UNC) DEC over Christian Denny, 8-1
125: #12 Benjamin Kjar (UVU) DEC over Sam Bauer, 3-1