OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University wrestling heads to California this weekend for a pair of competitions and will get a big boost with 2021 All-American and No. 7-ranked (174 lbs), Demetrius Romero, returning to the lineup. The senior missed most of last season due to injury.
 
The Wolverines will open the weekend on Nov. 18 with their first Big 12 duel of the year at California Baptist, which is set for 6 p.m. PT/7 p.m. MT. The weekend concludes with the Roadrunner Open at CSU Bakersfield on Sunday, Nov. 20.
 
Utah Valley has won the previous two meetings against the Lancers, including a 25-16 victory in 2021 in Orem and a 20-13 win in Riverside last year. The Lancers have the reigning Big 12 wrestler of the week, No. 23 Eli Griffin (125 lbs), who UVU will pit Kase Mauger against. No. 19 Haiden Drury will face Hunter Leake of CBU.
 
UVU will head to the Roadrunner Open in Bakersfield on Sunday. Among those competing will be Jack Forbes, who won the Cowboy Open at 197 last week after going 3-0. Utah Valley had multiple wrestlers place at the Cowboy Open in addition to Forbes. Kainalu Estrella (3rd), Mahonri Rushton (3rd), Nico Rodriguez (3rd), Tanner Lofthouse (4th), Yusief Lillie (5th), Kyler Lake (6th), and Kort Wilkinson (6th). 
 
After this weekend's action, Utah Valley will have some time away from the mat before next competing in the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas on Dec. 2-3.