OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University wrestling returns to action on Friday, Jan. 17 at No. 14 Missouri. The dual is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MT on ESPN+. The Wolverines will take a two-dual winning streak into Columbia, looking for their first-ever win over the Tigers.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Wolverines won their first dual of 2025 with a 23-14 win over California Baptist, who received votes in this week's National Wrestling Coaching Association poll. UVU won six of the ten bouts, including four of the final five bouts. Heavyweight Jack Forbes gave UVU a 17-11 lead with a pin over Jamikael Lytle to help push them over the Lancers. Nationally ranked wrestlers Terrell Barraclough and Haiden Drury picked up wins on the night.
 
ABOUT THE TIGERS
Missouri enters the dual 2-7 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 action. They have fought their injuries and a tough schedule, with all seven dual losses coming to ranked foes who are ranked in the Top 20 in the country. They will be without All-Americans Keegan O'Toole and Rocky Elam. 141-pounder Josh Edmond is a two-time NCAA qualifier and finished third at last year's Big 12 championships. He was ranked highest by FloWrestling, coming in at No. 11. Heavyweight Seth Nitzel came in at No. 18 this week, and talented freshman Gage Walker at 125 is ranked at 32.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
Utah Valley trails the all-time series 0-2, with the first meeting in 2005 when the Tigers shut out the Wolverines 48-0 before edging the Wolverines 18-15 in Orem back in 2021-2022.
 
UVU IN THE RANKINGS
The Wolverines have earned national attention with their 5-4 start in dual action. Barraclough headlines the rankings, coming in at No. 4. Haiden Drury, matching his highest career ranking, came in at No. 13 this week by InterMat.
 
The team continues to stay in the polls, coming in just outside the Top 25 in the InterMat and FloWrestling tournament rankings. UVU received votes in this week's NWCA poll.
 
WELCOME HOME
Utah Valley assistant coach Joey Lavallee is returning home to Columbia, where he wrestled for the Tigers. While in the black and yellow, he earned All-American honors in 2017 after finishing his collegiate career with a 114-29 record. In his final two seasons, he finished 29-0 in duals in his final two seasons, where Mizzou competed in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
 
ABOUT THE CYCLONE OPEN
Utah Valley will have six competitors attached, with some entering the field as unattached for Sunday's Cyclone Open. The tournament will not be streamed, but fans can follow along with updated brackets via TrackWrestling.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley returns to dual action next week with a showdown in Wyoming against the Cowboys on Friday, Jan. 24. The action starts at 6:00 p.m. MT inside the UniWyo Sports Complex in Laramie. It will be streamed on FloWrestling (subscription required) or on the Mountain West Network (free).