RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Utah Valley University opened the Big 12 Wrestling schedule with a 29-9 dual win at California Baptist on Friday night. The Wolverines had eight wrestlers earn wins, including three who picked up bonus points.
"Our guys did a great job of being the aggressor tonight in most situations. There is an attitude they are displaying that we are quite proud of. We have been focusing on some details that the team is working hard on and its starting to show. Proud of Haiden for wrestling the last half of his match against a tough, ranked opponent with an injury. Hopefully, he will be back quickly," said UVU head coach Greg Williams.
Kainalu Estrella (141 lbs) got the Wolverines started with a 10-2 major decision over Edison Alinas. Estrella led 5-1 entering the third and was able to pick up a reversal, a takedown, and riding time for the bonus point win.
32nd-ranked Isaiah Delgado (149 lbs) then gave Utah Valley a 10-0 lead in the dual when he pinned Chaz Hallmark with 26 seconds left in the second period. After a scoreless opening period, Delgado led 3-0 after an escape and takedown before ending the match with the fall.
Jaxon Garoutte (157 lbs) and Danny Snediker (165 lbs) also picked up decisions. Garoutte defeated Nolan Miller-Johnston 5-1, and Snediker outlasted Frank Almaguer, 7-5.
174-pound All-American and No. 7 Demetrius Romero made his season debut after missing most of the last season due to an injury and picked up a methodical 10-4 decision over Louis Rojas. The Lancers recorded their first win with Peter Acciardi's 4-1 decision over Mahonri Rushton at 184.
At 197, in his return to California Baptist, No. 29 Evan Bockman notched a dominant 18-6 major decision over Arick Lopez. Bockman, who transferred to UVU from CBU prior to last season, recorded seven takedowns and gave the Wolverines a 23-3 advantage.
In one of two overtime matches on the night, Chase Trussell's late takedown in the second OT earned him a 4-3 win over Chris Island at 285 lbs. After a scoreless first overtime, Island scored on a reversal in the first 30-second frame and led 3-2 after Trussell earned an escape point. Trussell then chose neutral and got the decisive takedown with just under 10 seconds to go to pick up the win.
In the first two bouts featuring two ranked opponents to close out the dual, No. 23 Elijah Griffin recorded a fall over No. 31 Kase Mauger in the second period for one of the two CBU wins.
The final match of the night went to overtime after No. 14 Hunter Leake scored a last second reversal to force the extra time against No. 19 Haiden Drury. After the first two-minute overtime went scoreless, Drury was on bottom and scored a reversal in the first 30-second frame before holding on over the final 30 seconds to win 5-4 and conclude the dual.
The Wolverines will now prep for the Roadrunner Open on Sunday in Bakersfield, California. The tournament is scheduled for a 9 a.m. PT/10 a.m. MT start with live results available on TrackWrestling.com.
FINAL RESULTS
141: Kainalu Estrella (Utah Valley) over Edison Alinas (California Baptist) (MD 10-2)
149: No. 32 Isaiah Delgado (Utah Valley) over Chaz Hallmark (California Baptist) (Fall 4:34)
157: Jaxon Garoutte (Utah Valley) over Nolan Miller-Johnston (California Baptist) (Dec 5-1)
165: Danny Snediker (Utah Valley) over Frank Almaguer (California Baptist) (Dec 7-5)
174: No. 7 Demetrius Romero (Utah Valley) over Louis Rojas (California Baptist) (Dec 10-4)
184: Peter Acciardi (California Baptist) over Mahonri Rushton (Utah Valley) (Dec 4-1)
197: No. 29 Evan Bockman (Utah Valley) over Arick Lopez (California Baptist) (MD 18-6)
285: Chase Trussell (Utah Valley) over Chris Island (California Baptist) (TB-1 4-3)
125: No. 23 Elijah Griffin (California Baptist) over No. 31 Kase Mauger (Utah Valley) (Fall 3:29)
133: No. 19 Haiden Drury (Utah Valley) over No. 14 Hunter Leake (California Baptist) (TB-1 5-4)
