Feb. 16, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format
OREM, Utah -- The Utah Valley University wrestling team will conclude its regular season in the Dakotas this week. UVU will take on WWC foes South Dakota State Friday and North Dakota State Saturday. Both duals will begin at 6 p.m. MT.
The Wolverines are 4-3 on the year and 2-1 in Western Wrestling Conference action so far this season and are coming off of an exciting 23-20 home win over the Air Force Academy.
In that dual, UVU found itself trailing the Falcons 20-17 heading into the final bout with senior 125-pounder Benjamin Kjar due up. Kjar didn't only win his match by decision to tie the dual, he won his bout over AFA's Tyler Spangler by fall just 1 minute and 41 seconds in to give the Wolverines the 23-20 conference win.
UVU and AFA both won five matches apiece but the Wolverines managed to win three of the five bouts by bonus points to win the dual. Kjar and 133-pounder Flint Ray both picked up pins, while 165-pounder Jeb Clark defeated his opponent by technical fall (15-0).
This season, Kjar and Ray have led UVU all season long, as the 2009-10 NCAA Qualifiers are currently both nationally ranked 13th in their respective weight class. Ray is 17-2 so far during his senior campaign while Kjar is 21-4.
The second NCAA Div. I Coaches' Panel Rankings and RPI came out last week and UVU had five wrestlers ranked on the lists. Kjar led the way as he was 4th on the RPI and 11th on the coaches panel. 141-pounder Justin Morrill was 12th on the RPI and 27th on the coaches, Ray was 13th on the coaches panel, while Clark and 149-pounder Josh Wilson were 21st and 32nd respective on the coaches panel.
About SDSU & NDSU
South Dakota State currently sits in last place in the WWC as they are winless in conference at 0-5. Overall the Jackrabbits have just one win on the season as they are 1-12-1. The Jacks' lone win came over Wisconsin-Whitewater back on Nov. 14 at the Northwestern Duals.
UVU leads the all-time series against SDSU 4-1. The Wolverines are also 1-1 all-time in Brookings, which includes a 35-14 win in the last meeting in S.D. on Feb. 6, 2009.
North Dakota State is 9-4 overall and 2-3 in the WWC so far. The Bison have conference victories over Northern Colorado and SDSU.
NDSU is led by senior 157-pounder Vince Salminen who is currently ranked 18th and sophomore 125-pounder Trent Sprenkle who is ranked 19th.
The Bioson lead the all-time series over UVU 4-1. The lone Wolverine win came in the last meeting, which took place two year's ago in Fargo, 18-15.
Following this weekend's action, UVU will prepare for the WWC Championships/NCAA West Regional that will take place Sunday, March 6, in Colorado Springs, Colo. This year's NCAA Championships will then be held March 17-19 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
