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Cowboy Coaching Staff Announces Wrestling Team Awards

17 April, 2013

April 15, 2013

LARAMIE, Wyo. - A total of 29 individual honors were announced Saturday by the University of Wyoming wrestling coaching staff at the year-end team banquet.

Four annual awards, named for former UW head coaches, were distributed, along with academic awards and recognition for UW's NCAA qualifiers and seniors.

Senior Alfonso Hernandez was given the Everett Lantz Most Outstanding Wrestler Award. The senior leader had a stellar season, garnering All-America honors for the second time and finishing seventh in the nation at 197 pounds. He leaves UW as one of only six multiple All-America wrestlers in team history, and compiled 120 wins over four seasons, which ranks him No. 8 in school history for total wins.

Hernandez added another honor, the Steven Suder High-Point Award, for the second-straight season. The honor is bestowed to an individual for his total dual points and grade-point average.

The Joe McDaniel Most Improved Wrestler Award went to sophomore 125-pounder Tyler Cox. In his first career trip to nationals, Cox placed eighth to earn All-America status and finished the season with a 35-11 mark.

Sophomore Andy McCulley was honored for his toughness and resolve as he received the Joe Dowler Cowboy Up Award. McCulley led UW with 11 falls and made his first trip to NCAAs this season.

Seven 2013 NCAA qualifiers were given plaques for their accomplishment, including Cox, Hernandez and McCulley, along with seniors McCade Ford and L.J. Helbig. Other NCAA qualifiers were sophomores Brandon Richardson and Shane Woods. Cox and Hernandez were given watches for their All-America finishes.

Thirteen student-athletes were recognized for academic achievements. Four Cowboys maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA throughout the season: sophomore
Tanner Harms, Hernandez, sophomore Leland Pfeifer and senior Michael Poulos. Seven Pokes held a 3.0 or better GPA: freshmen Cole Ford, Jordan Hanson, Brent Havlik, Tanner Miller and Ben Stroh, and sophomores Richardson and Robert Stroh.

Junior Kyle Komata received the Academic Hustle award for the second-consecutive season. Junior Jake Eitzen also earned the same honor.

Five seniors were honored by the UW coaching staff for their dedication and contributions to Cowboy Wrestling. That list included McCade Ford, Kasey Garnhart, Helbig, Hernandez and Poulos.


UW's Cox And Hernandez Garner All-America Honors

26 March, 2013

 

March 22, 2013

DES MOINES, Iowa -

Live Results | Team Scores | Brackets | Day Two Notes

For the third-straight season, the University of Wyoming wrestling program can boast two All-Americans in its ranks. Two Cowboys, sophomore Tyler Cox and senior Alfonso Hernandez, secured top-eight finishes Friday with stellar performances on Day Two of the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

With one day remaining, the Cowboys sit in 23rd place with 19.5 points in the team standings. UW now has had eight All-American performances in head coach Mark Branch's five seasons, and a total of 31 in program history.

A two-time All-American, Hernandez had designs on a national title, but those plans were derailed in the quarterfinals. The senior had an early 5-2 lead over Oregon State's Taylor Meeks, but was put to his back by Meeks and suffered a pin. The loss moved him to the consolations. That's when he earned his second-straight All-America honor by defeating Iowa's Nathan Burak in a 6-3 decision. He wrestled Iowa State's Kyven Gadson later in the evening, and dropped a 12-4 major decision.

Hernandez will face Oklahoma State's Blake Rosholt in the seventh/eighth-place match Saturday morning.

"Fonz is in a lot of pain right now. He is physically pretty beat up and he has been for about the last two months," Branch said. "He just keeps going and giving us everything he's got and I'm proud of him. It's obviously not where he wanted to finish, but he wrestles with a lot of pride. He'll finish out his career as a two-time All-American, and that is quite an accomplishment."

UW's other honoree, Cox, had an efficient day, winning three matches in the consolation bracket en route to earning All-America status for the first time in his career.

Cox, seeded 12th, put together a solid performance to upset two higher seeds Friday. He began by beating 11th-seeded Nikko Triggas (Ohio State) in his first match in a 9-4 decision, then came right back with a 13-7 victory over Oklahoma State's Eddie Klimara. In the final match of the night, Cox was dominant in his effort versus seventh-seeded Nathan Krassier of North Carolina. Cox built up a 6-1 lead after the first period and kept pouring it on, winning a 19-7 major decision. The only blemish of his day was a 6-2 loss to ninth-seeded Trent Sprenkle of North Dakota State.

"I'm really proud of Tyler, battling back after a tough second-round loss (on Thursday) to go to the consolations," Wyoming coach Mark Branch said. "That's a tough way to come back to be an All-American. It was really impressive, the maturity he showed. This shows you how tough it is, and what level it takes to be an All-American."

He will face Minnesota's David Thorn in the seventh/eighth-place match at 9 a.m. MT.

UW's other two wrestlers who were alive in their bracket Friday went 0-1, including sophomore Brandon Richardson and senior McCade Ford. But there's still more to wrestle for Saturday for Wyoming, including higher placing and team points.

"It's always good to be weighing in guys on Saturday," Branch said. "There are a lot of programs not doing that. It shows our program is still doing well in a little bit of a down year."

The final rounds of the NCAA Championship will begin at 9 a.m. MT Saturday, with finals beginning at 6 p.m. MT. Morning medal rounds can be seen on ESPNU, while finals can be seen on ESPN.

UW results
12th-seed Tyler Cox, 125 pounds (4-2), All-American
Championship first round: Cox maj. dec. Nick Soto (Chattanooga), 14-2
Championship second round: Dominic Parisi (Appalachian State) dec. Cox, 5-4
Consolation second round: Cox dec. 11th-seed Nikko Triggas (Ohio State), 9-4
Consolation third round: Cox dec. Eddie Klimara (Oklahoma State), 13-7
Consolation fourth round: Cox maj. dec. seventh-seed Nathan Krassier (North Carolina), 19-7
Consolation quarterfinals: Ninth-seeded Trent Sprenkle (North Dakota State) dec. Cox, 6-2

McCade Ford, 141 pounds (1-2)
Championship first round: Ninth-seed Richard Durso (Franklin and Marshall) dec. Ford, 6-1
Consolation first round: Ford dec. Luke Goettl (Iowa State), 9-3
Consolation second round: 10th-seed Charles Cobb (Penn) dec. Ford, 6-1

Brandon Richardson, 149 pounds (1-2)
Championship first round: Eighth-seed Nick Brascetta (Virginia Tech) dec. Richardson, 7-4
Consolation first round: Richardson fall (4:44) Ronnie Garbinsky (Pittsburgh)
Consolation second round: 10th-seed Ivan Lopouchanski (Purdue) dec. Richardson, 3-2

Andy McCulley, 157 pounds (0-2)
Championship first round: Scott Winston (Rutgers) dec. McCulley, 4-2
Consolation first round: Nestor Taffur (Boston) dec. McCulley, 12-6

L.J. Helbig, 174 pounds (1-2)
Championship preliminary: Helbig dec. Austin Gabel (Virginia Tech), 5-3 SV1
Championship first round: Seventh-seed Jordan Blanton (Illinois) maj. dec. Helbig, 12-1
Consolation first round: 10th-seed Dan Yates (Michigan) dec. Helbig, 6-2

Shane Woods, 184 pounds (0-2)
Championship first round: Seventh-seed Jimmy Sheptock (Maryland) maj. dec. Woods, 13-4
Consolation first round: Stephen Doty (Virginia) dec. Woods, 6-2

Fourth-seed Alfonso Hernandez, 197 pounds (3-2), All-American
Championship first round: Hernandez maj. dec. Caleb Kolb (Nebraska), 15-5
Championship second round: Hernandez tech. fall Nick Whitenburg (Eastern Michigan), 19-4
Championship quarterfinals: Fifth-seed Taylor Meeks (Oregon State) fall (4:54) Hernandez
Consolation fourth round: Hernandez dec. Nathan Burak (Iowa), 6-3
Consolation quarterfinals: Sixth-seed Kyven Gadson (Iowa State) maj. dec. Hernandez, 12-4


Tyler Cox is student athlete of the week

26 March, 2013

You just earned your first All-America honor over the weekend in Des Moines in your first trip to the national tournament. How are you feeling about your performance at NCAAs?

I'm super stoked! I trained hard all year and it was nice to get rewarded at the end.

Describe the environment at an NCAA Wrestling Championship. Is it easy to be distracted by the surroundings and how do you stay focused on your match?

It's crazy! There are signs everywhere with the national logo on it and tons of people. I used my coaches and music mainly to stay focused.

You also wrestled well at the NCAA West Regional a few weeks ago. What did you do to both mentally and physically prepare to build momentum toward the end of the season?

Just kept focusing on my goals and training hard!

From these recent successes at big-time tournaments, what have you learned you need to do to progress moving forward?

Just keep training hard and listen to my coaches; they know how to win and know what it takes.

Out of high school, you had a few offers from other programs. What ultimately led you to choose your native state of Wyoming?

Coach Branch! I believe in what he wants to do here and want to help him achieve it!

When did you start wrestling, and when did you realize it was a sport you could go somewhere with?

I started when I was four. I first realized it was my sport when I won my first kids state title. I think I was eight or nine.

What do you enjoy doing with any free time you have outside of wrestling and school?

I like to be outdoors, snowboarding, and spending time with my team and family

What did you enjoy most about growing up in the state of Wyoming?

I loved being so close to the mountains

Although it's a couple of years away, what are your career plans with a degree in criminal justice?

I want to become a police officer and see how that goes, but I want to eventually go into the FBI.


Three WWC Wrestlers Earn All-America Honors at NCAA Championships

26 March, 2013

 

North Dakota State's Trent Sprenkle (125) placed fifth, while Wyoming's Alfonso Hernandez (197) finished seventh and Tyler Cox (125) eighth.

 

March 23, 2013

 

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Three Western Wrestling Conference grapplers earned All-America honors Saturday at the 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. North Dakota State senior Trent Sprenkle led the way by placing fifth at 125 pounds while Wyoming senior Alfonso Hernandez finished seventh at 197 and his teammate sophomore Tyler Cox placed eighth at 125.

 

Hernandez stepped on the podium for his second consecutive season after he finished sixth a year ago while both Sprenkle and Cox earned their first All-America honors first. Sprenkle also became North Dakota State's first All-American since the school jumped to the Division I level and the seventh in its school history.

 

The ninth-seeded Sprenkle secured his All-American finish with one of the biggest upsets of the tournament as he pulled out a 3-1 sudden victory win over the former two-time national champion and three-time national finalist Matt McDonough of Iowa on Friday night. Sprenkle then capped his tournament run with a 7-2 decision over No. 5 Jarrod Garnett of Virginia Tech in the fifth-place bout on Saturday. Sprenkle went an impressive 6-2 at the tournament.

 

Hernandez became an All-American for the second time in his career by placing seventh on Saturday. The fourth-seeded Wyoming senior finished seventh after he defeated No. 11 Blake Rosholt, 7-4, in the seventh-place bout on Saturday. Hernandez went 4-2 at his final NCAA Championships.

 

Cox placed eighth at 125 pounds after he dropped the seventh-place bout to Minnesota's David Thorn by fall on Saturday. The 12th-seeded Cowboy went 4-3 to earn his first All-American finish.

 

In all 19 wrestlers competed for the WWC at the NCAA Championships this weekend, and 12 of them made it to day two of the three-day event.

 

In the team race, Wyoming led the conference as it finished 23rd with 20.5 points. North Dakota State was next by coming in 30th place with 15.5 points. Overall there were 72 teams that competed at this year's championships.

 

The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of six schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.

 

 


Wyoming wrestler Hernandez's quest for success inspires others

By Casper Star-Tribune
30 December, 2012

After he had reviewed the phases of motor development in kinesiology, simplified complex problems drawn on a dusty chalkboard in algebra and calculated genotypes using the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium model in genetics, Alfonso Hernandez had 30 minutes to relax before starting a 2-hour wrestling practice that would leave him drenched in sweat. It was 12:30 p.m. on a Tuesday.

“There are times when I don’t want to do it,” Hernandez said from a couch in the Wyoming wrestling locker room. “I don’t want to go write this term paper, or something. I just want to stay home and watch a movie or do something else. But then I tell myself that’s what most people would do. And I’m not most people."

Hernandez is many things. He is one of the nation’s best 197-pound collegiate wrestlers, a senior who has won 20 matches so far this season and only lost one — a one-point decision to the defending national champion. He is a husband, and a father of two. He is a kinesiology major with a 3.65 GPA who is preparing for his second round of MCATs and determined to go to medical school.

In short, Hernandez is a 23-year-old who seems much older than he is, a young man who seems to succeed in every aspect of his life.

But how?

He says he made a decision to change his life. He said he now enjoys the process of working tirelessly toward his goals even though he never lets himself be satisfied with his success. It's an approach to life he has developed over the years — one that he hopes will continue to inspire those around him.

“Wherever your life is right now, if you’re going down the wrong road, you can easily turn it around and succeed," he said.

Things weren't always this way. Before Hernandez was a wrestler, he was a fighter.

After his parents divorced when he was in second grade, he often got into trouble for beating up his elementary school classmates in Idaho.

“I was a big bully,” he said.

The misbehavior continued in junior high. When he skipped class and stole fireworks from a friend's stepfather's house, he received three months of probation for petty larceny. That mistake made a boy ask himself an adult question.

“What path am I going on right now?" Hernandez remembers thinking. "Right now, it’s petty theft. In the future, what is it going to be? Am I going to be doing drugs? Am I going to be stealing cars? This is definitely not the way I want to go.”

He says that's when the fights and trouble with the law ended. Hernandez worked harder in school and excelled at football — the sport he believed he would play in college. But wrestling offered something unexpected. It made his worries go away. It made stress, anxiety and anger dissolve.

“It’s just my moment,” he said.

Blackfoot High (Idaho) wrestling coach Brian Barlow, who has since retired, watched an inexperienced wrestler win based on sheer will. He watched Hernandez beat better opponents by forcing them to quit. He outworked them until he won.

And he did win. Hernandez placed fifth at state as a sophomore. The following seasons, he won back-to-back state championships at 189 then 215 pounds.

"He's just got such indomitable spirit," Barlow said. "I've never been associated with anything so strong in my whole life."

Barlow watched the same spirit show in other ways. He saw Hernandez graduate high school as a National Honor Society Member with a 3.7 GPA. He knew Herndandez proposed to his high school sweetheart, Stephanie, at the age of 18, before the two had their first son, Aiden.

In situations where others might pull away or panic, Barlow saw Hernandez thrive.

"He came from a disadvantaged youth, with split parents in poor economic conditions,” Barlow said. “He didn't have stability. That's where Fonz is probably special. He realized all of this. He realized he controls his destiny. He controls his pride and how he is perceived. He has always had a vision, a wisdom beyond his age ... His pride always elevates him to the upper level, whether it be in social situations or athletics. He has just always seemed to take control of his destiny."

Spend time with Hernandez and it shows. His approach to life rubs off on those around him.

Wyoming wrestling coach Mark Branch asks his team to follow Hernandez's example. He wishes others would find the drive that led Hernandez to a sixth-place finish at the NCAA tournament last year — a feat that came after Hernandez had missed the previous season do to a back injury that required surgery.

Wyoming wrestlers, like 125-pound sophomore Tyler Cox, say Hernandez makes every wrestler in every weight class better. When the best wrestler in the room works the hardest, no one else has an excuse to take it easy.

Wyoming professors feel it, too. They smile when Hernandez raises his hand to ask or answer questions, or scribbles notes into one of the 3-inch black binders he keeps for every class.

“He’s inspiring,” Barlow said. “People gain strength from him.”

Hernandez knows it’s true. He wants to be an example. It's part of what fuels him to win a national championship this year, to become a doctor and support his family, to give others who have struggled a reason to believe they can succeed.

“I see myself as a huge role model for Hispanic kids, especially ones living with single parents,” Hernandez said. “I’ve been there. I’ve done that … The statistics aren’t high for us to go out and conquer the world. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Shortly after 1 p.m., Hernadez's half-hour rest on a recent Tuesday came to an end.

Another lecture for another class was waiting in the afternoon. For that reason, Hernandez would practice without his team today. He and a partner, senior 174-pounder Michael Poulos, would be the only two in the wrestling room. No coaches would be present.

No one would yell, or even know, if Hernandez took it easy. No one other than himself.

For that reason, he would tie his shoes and run laps. He would wrestle, shoot takedown after takedown. He would leave Poulos twisted and crumpled on the mat, help him up and take him down again. When Hernandez's shirt was stained through with sweat and his legs were wobbly, he would stop. He would change shoes, put on more clothes, then go run stairs. After class, he would go home, talk to his wife and his boys (a second son, Madden, has since joined the family) and study.

And in the morning, the man who says he wants to conquer the world, would get up and start all over again.

“I used to be afraid to fail,” Hernandez said before lifting himself from the couch. “Now I’m not afraid of failure. I know if I go out and perform to the best of my abilities, even if I did fail, I'll be satisfied — satisfied with my performance alone."

Contact sports reporter Ben Frederickson at ben.frederickson@trib.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ben_Fred.


Stinson's Studs

By Shane Stinson
29 December, 2012

Stinson’s Studs

106         Trent Olson                        CCHS                     9

HM         Cole Verner                        GRHS                     10

 

113         Nic Urbach                          Powell                  9

HM         Devon Mauch                    CCHS                     12

 

120         Evan Smith                          CCHS                     11

HM         Ty Alexander                     Lander                  12

 

126         Justin Lewton                    Worland               11

HM         Brody Cress                        East                        11

 

132         Bryce Meredith                                Cent                      11

HM         Arhen Wempen                               Riverton               12

 

138         Tannar Galey                     KWHS                    11

HM         Blaze Cress                         East                        12

 

145         Dani Fischer                        CCHS                     12

HM         Russ Wilde                          Cody                      12

 

152         Jordan Fischer                   CCHS                     10

HM         Matt Pounds                      Worland               12

 

160         Lukas Poloncic                   CCSH                     12

HM         Brayton Sanders               Evanston             12

 

170         Dalton Burgener               Douglas                                10

HM         TJ Galey                               Riverton               12

 

182         Dino Collins                         Lovell                    12

HM         Drake Menck                     MVHS                   12

 

195         Tevis Bartlett                     East                        10

HM         Jordan Semadeni             SVHS                     12

 

220         Cody Delk                            Sheridan              11

HM         Casey Hernandez             Worland               11

 

285         Colter Bentley                   NCHS                     12

HM         CJ Allen                                                Douglas                                12


Middle School Dual Qualifier Info Letter

29 December, 2012

To: Wrestling Club, Middle School and Junior High Wrestling Coaches

 

From:   Jim Verplancke, Kids Director, Wyoming Amateur Wrestling Association

 

This tournament is a qualifying tournament for middle school age wrestlers who would like to participate with the Wyoming Kids Team in the National Folkstyle Middle School Duals.  The AAU National Middle School Duals will take place April 12-14, 2013 in Iowa and the Yellowstone National Middle School (USAW) Duals will be held in Cody, WY April 26-28. The top two placers in each weight class will qualify for the dual team. This tournament is for Wyoming Middle School wrestlers to qualifying to participate in the national dual tournaments.

 

 The qualifying tournament will be held at Douglas, WY on March 2, 2013. Weigh-ins will begin at 7:00 AM and end at 8:30 AM. The tournament will be a double elimination tournament with the wrestlers placing 1st and 2nd being selected to make the trip. A true 2nd will be wrestled in case the # 3 wrestler has not wrestled the #2 wrestler previously. Awards will be presented to the top four wrestlers.

 

Wrestlers participating in the middle school qualifier will not be separated into age groups.  A middle school wrestler must be in grades 6, 7, or 8 and the wrestler must be 15 years old or younger during the year 2013; If you turn 16 in 2013 your are ineligible. 

 

WEIGHT CLASSES: 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 250.

 

PREREGISTRATION: In order to prepare for this tournament we strongly encourage wrestlers to pre-register by Thursday, February 28, 2013 however, wresters may register at the tournament also. Preregister at www.trackwrestling.com

 

ENTRY FEE: Preregistration - $15; At the Door - $25

 

A current USA Wrestling card is mandatory to wrestle in the tournament. Contact your local USA club for the card; go to the WAWA website to look up a club in your area. If the club is unknown contact Vicki Tolin at 307-258-7569 or email vickie@vickietolin.com. Coaches and officials must also have a current USA card to officiate or coach at this event.

 

The wrestlers that qualify for the national tournament must pay $800 (over a period of 5 weeks) to make the trip. A raffle will be held to defray the cost of each wrestler. A bus is scheduled to pick up participants at Buffalo, Casper, Douglas, and Cheyenne. A $300 non-refundable deposit is required at the conclusion of the tournament.  Each wrestler will be given $800 worth of raffle tickets and if the wrestler sells all the tickets it will cover the cost of the trip. Transportation, lodging, meals, uniform, and entry fees are all included in the cost of the trip. The first $300 of raffle tickets will cover the $300 deposit.

 

Please hand out the enclosed (attached) information to your wrestlers in the event they would like to compete in the qualifying tournament.

 

See you in Douglas,

 

Jim Verplancke, WAWA Kids Director

231 Birch Street

Buffalo, WY 82834

Phone: 307-217-1681; Email: jverp@msn.com


Where are they now- Ray Sanchez

By Wyoming Athletics
21 December, 2012

Laramie, Wyo. -

Join Wyoming's Lettermen's Club

One of the greatest Wyoming high school wrestlers in history, Ray Sanchez came to the University of Wyoming after compiling an amazing record of 98-0 and winning four state championships at Cheyenne Central High School. He was a two-time senior men's National AAU champion in 1965 and 1966 and a two-time Great Plains National Champion representing Wyoming in 1966 and 1967. Sanchez was undefeated competing for the Cowboys' freshman team in 1966. As a Cowboy sophomore on the varsity in 1967, despite battling an elbow injury, Sanchez finished fourth in the nation at 115 pounds and earned All-America honors. Unfortunately, he suffered a back injury the following year and was forced to give up wrestling. He went on to a successful career as a teacher, coach and high school administrator.

Where has life taken you since you finished at UW?

Ray:

My first job out of UW was as an English teacher and head wrestling coach in Lander, Wyo.; I was there for two years. My second job was in Rawlins, Wyo., as an English teacher and head wrestling coach; I was there for four years. I also got drafted to be an assistant football coach for four years. Next, I moved to Greeley, Colo., where I was an English teacher and head wrestling coach at Greeley West High School; I was there for four years.

I then got out of coaching, and retained a job at George Washington High School in Denver as the English AP and Honors class teacher; I also served as the yearbook advisor and English Department chair. I then served as Diversity Coordinator for the Boulder Valley School district where I developed the District's first diversity program and provided staff development on the program for the entire district.

I then went to work with the Jefferson County Public School District in Golden, Colo. I first served as a classroom English teacher and forensics coach at Chatfield Senior High School. I then assumed the position of Educational Equity Director and went on to create and develop an equity program entitled "Culturally Responsive Teaching to Diverse Student Populations". I provided staff development on this program for 133 schools in the district, which is the largest school district in Colorado with 83,000 students.

 


I then went on to be the principal at Stein Elementary School in Lakewood, Colo. (Jefferson County Schools), a Title I school of 720 students and 83 faculty. When I arrived at Stein, it was one of the lowest performing schools in the district. By the end of my four-year tenure we were recognized as the highest performing Title I school in the district and received many academic achievement awards.

It was at Stein that I fell on some ice while helping a student get up from her fall. This fall caused a re-injury to my back which required the fourth but final back surgery in 2007. I retired in 2007. Currently, my back and the rest of me are doing great!

Where are you living now and tell us about your family?

Ray:

For the past 13 years, my wife Lynn and I have lived in Longmont, Colo. We have been together for 18 years. Lynn and I are both in our second (and final) marriages. I have six children from my first marriage: Raymond, Katrina, Britt, Scott, Megan, and Amy; Lynn has two daughters from her first marriage: Nikki and Leah.

Together Lynn and I have very talented children: Raymond-chemical engineer; Leah-OBGYN/critical care physician; Katrina-HR administrator; Nikki-small business manager; Britt-IT Specialist; Scott-math teacher and head wrestling coach; Megan-dental hygienist; Amy-head accountant at a Denver business.

Like myself, Lynn is a retired elementary school principal with the Boulder Valley School District. She was honored as Bilingual Principal of the Year in Colorado in 2005.

We also have a total of 23 grandchildren and are expecting one more; Leah and Ryan will welcome Nora in February, 2013.

Every summer we hold a Grandpa's/Grandma's Camp. All our grandchildren who are five years and older come to our house in Longmont for a four day/night adventure, which is usually 12-15 children. Activities include ice cream for breakfast, make your own pizza, horseback riding, rock climbing, meals prepared by each other, water fights, Grandpa's scary stories, egg drop, watching the Jim Thorpe story (a mandatory viewing), etc. We've been holding camp since 2004.

You were part of a Cowboy program that went 17-4 in duals in 1966-67, the most dual wins in a single season in school history. Have you kept in touch with former coaches and teammates through the years?

Ray:

I don't think people remember what a great team we had that year. We beat a lot teams and we didn't wrestle "wimp" teams. We beat UCLA, Colorado, Air Force, Nebraska, Oregon, Colorado State, etc.

Joe McDaniel (who just recently passed away) was my coach when I came to UW in 1965. Joe was a great wrestling tactician and very committed to the UW wrestling program. During those years, we had a fortuitous combination of strength in the lower weights and higher weights; myself at 23's, Ron Horning at 32's; Dale Kujath at 54's; Don Miller at 57's, Leon Mickelson at 67's and Tommy Thompson at heavyweight and others, I'm sure.

We knew we were a tough team. Although I personally didn't realize what we were accomplishing record-wise, as a sophomore I just wrestled.

I have kept in touch with Ted Adams, Ron Horning, Paul Soriano, Joe Dowler (my high school wrestling coach and future UW wrestling coach) and somewhat with Charlie Sanchez. I see and talk with Gordy Cramer once in a while. He lives here in Longmont. Of course, I see my brother Art a lot, as he lives here in Colorado.

Who was the most influential figure in your life when it came to wrestling?

Ray:

Joe Dowler! Joe came to Cheyenne Central when I was a junior in high school. Joe was the greatest motivator, coach and teacher I ever had in my life. As a two-time state champion when he arrived, Joe sharpened my wrestling. I got rid of a lot of "junk wrestling," tactics that would not work on good wrestlers. Joe was with me for two more state championships (for a total of four), for my two regional AAU championships and for my first Senior Men's National AAU Championship in San Francisco. We have followed each other for more than 40 years.

How has collegiate wrestling changed since you were a Cowboy?

Ray:

For me, the tactics and maneuvers have not changed in any significant way. The biggest change I've seen as a fan, are the rules for takedowns. If you have your toes inside the circle, you get two points. I miss "supporting" parts like a knee or butt. I don't see a lot of "going for the pin" and after all that is the whole purpose. I see wrestlers scoring enough points to win and then letting the clock run out for the win.

Noting the number of wrestling programs that have been cut over the past 15-20 years, what do you believe collegiate sports administrators must do to keep it going?

Ray:

Wrestling will never be a revenue generating sport. It is incumbent upon administrators to set a specific amount of support for wrestling and stay with the commitment. Make cuts at other places. Communicating and celebrating with the fans and other supporters about the wrestling program's success. Get the word out in a consistent and timely manner like they do for football and basketball. I don't see this happening to the degree that other "top-level sports" do. Spread the good news.

How do you feel about being named to the Wyoming Hall of Fame last September?

Ray:

It was a great honor to be included with some of the greatest athletes UW has ever produced. To be remembered after all these years was especially rewarding. I am humbled and sometimes don't feel adequate. The induction ceremonies were outstanding. Given the opportunity to talk about my induction was very special. I only gave UW two years of my wrestling ability. I should have/could have produced so much more for me to feel warranted to receive this honor. My back injury was a terrible event for my wrestling career.

What does it mean for a Wyoming native to don the Brown and Gold, from your experience?

Ray:

I had over 18 full ride offers from major Division I schools, but coming from Cheyenne and committing to UW was a natural move. Representing UW Brown and Gold was always an honor. UW is a small Division I school, so it was with great pride to show those bigger schools that the Brown and Gold colors were more than capable to compete and win. Brown and Gold runs thru my veins, thru my being. Sports are the great equalizers. As a native, and a Hispanic, I never felt slighted or diminished by the UW community because of my ethnicity, which I did see in other parts of Laramie. As a native, I am more than proud to call UW my university. Living in Colorado can sometimes be a challenge.

What did you like the most about Laramie when you were a student here? What do you like to do here when you come back to visit?

Ray:

I loved the dorm life, the roommates and friends and the cafeteria food was great. I know many people who hated it. Classes were small enough to feel supported. The athletic department, coaches and Athletic Director Glenn Jacoby were the greatest supporters. I didn't do much in Laramie proper; the campus life provided most of what I needed.

When I visit Laramie I like to go to the Student Union and the book store. Invariably, I will run into former classmates and other friends, especially for any home game. I attend as many UW wrestling matches as I can, where I visit with many former and current student-athletes of all sports. As a former wrestling coach in Wyoming, I meet many former students and coaches who attended UW.

Where Are They Now Archives
July 12, 2011 - Brian Lee (Football)
July 22, 2011 - L. Mengelkamp (Women's Golf)
Aug. 5, 2011 - Nichole Rider (Women's Basketball)
Aug. 25, 2011 - Lynn Stetson (Swimming & Diving)
Sept. 14, 2011 - S. Smith (Track & Field)
Sept. 29, 2011 - Mike Amundson (Men's Basketball)
Nov. 1, 2011 - Mercy Adetoye (Women's Soccer)
Nov. 30, 2011 - Scott Usher (Swimming & Diving)
Jan. 3, 2012 - Wesley Maiyo (Track & Field)
Feb. 22, 2012 - David Hearn (Men's Golf)
April 3, 2012 - Trenton Franz (Football)
May 24, 2012 - Patricia Chien (Women's Tennis)

 


Wyoming's Tyler Cox Named WWC Wrestler of the Week

18 December, 2012

Wyoming's Tyler Cox Named WWC Wrestler of the Week

 

The 125-pound sophomore won a title at the Reno Tournament of Champions.

 

Dec. 18, 2012

 

OREM, Utah -- University of Wyoming 125-pound sophomore Tyler Cox (Gillette, Wyo./Campbell County HS) has been named the Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week after an outstanding performance on the mat last week. The conference honor was announced Tuesday by the league.

 

Cox won his first tournament of the season Sunday at the Reno Tournament of Champions.

 

Seeded third in the 36-man field, the Wyoming sophomore earned three bonus-point wins over Adam Ludwin (Fort Hays State), Joaquin Marquez (Citadel) and Joey Palmer (Oregon State) to advance to the semifinals. Cox then defeated Miguel Comparan of CSU Bakersfield, who had knocked off 20th-ranked Dominic Parisi of Appalachian State in the quarters, in an 11-5 decision to head to the finals. In the title bout, Cox met CSU Bakersfield's Tyler Iwamura, who had been in the national rankings earlier in the season. Cox bested Iwamura in a 6-5 decision to win the RTOC crown for the first time in his career.

 

The Wyoming grappler now has 19 wins this season, including nine bonus-points victories.

 

The conference honor is the Cox's first of the season and first of his career.

 

The Western Wrestling Conference, which is in its seventh year of competition, is comprised of six schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.

 

Other Nominees:

North Dakota State: Steven Monk, 165 pounds, Jr., (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West HS)

 

2012-13 WWC Wrestlers of the Week

Nov. 6 - Alfonso Hernandez (Wyoming)

Nov. 13 - Josh Wilson (Utah Valley)

Nov. 20 - Cole VonOhlen (Air Force)

Nov. 27 - Trent Sprenkle (North Dakota State)

Dec. 4 - Steven Monk (North Dakota State)

Dec. 11 - Brandon Richardson (Wyoming)

Dec. 18 - Tyler Cox (Wyoming)

 

 

 


UW Wrestling Takes Aim At Team Crown In Reno

14 December, 2012

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Live results

The last tournament of 2012 for the Wyoming Cowboy wrestling team will be a big test, when UW competes in the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nev., on Sunday.

The details
Wrestling begins at 10 a.m. MT Sunday over 12 mats in the Reno Convention Center. Finals will begin at 7 p.m. MT for the one-day event.

Wyoming returns to the state of Nevada for an event just two weeks after competing in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. The RTOC is the last event in which the Cowboys will compete in the calendar year.

Repeat champs?
UW could add another title to its collection with a good performance. The Cowboys won their first-ever crown at the RTOC in 2010, beating out Boise State for the team championship by 1.5 points. In the 2011 edition, the Pokes were a combined 43-21 in matches and finished second to Oklahoma State.

UW is among 24 teams in the collegiate field of what organizers say is the "Toughest Tournament in the U.S.A." Wyoming hopes to outperform the likes of Boise State, Cal Poly, Michigan State and Oregon State, each of which is in the top 50 of the latest InterMat polls.

Past success
Seven Cowboys placed at the RTOC last season, including current Cowboys Kasey Garnhart (fifth at 125), sophomore Zach Zehner (second at 133) and Alfonso Hernandez, who was third at 197. Sophomore Tyler Cox placed third in the 2010 RTOC at 125.

Probable lineup with season record
125 pounds: Sophomore Tyler Cox (14-6)
133: Senior
Kasey Garnhart (7-7)
141: Senior
McCade Ford (9-9)
141: Junior
Kyle Komata (4-5)
149: Sophomore
Brandon Richardson (9-7)
149: Redshirt freshman
Austin Breckenridge (8-7)
157: Sophomore
Andy McCulley (14-3)
165: Sophomore
Dakota Friesth (7-10)
174: Senior
L.J. Helbig (9-6)
174: Senior
Michael Poulos (4-6)
184: Sophomore
Shane Woods (8-8)
197: Senior
Alfonso Hernandez (15-1)
285: Redshirt freshman
Tanner Harms (11-5)

 

 

(Competing unattached)
125: Freshman
Drew Templeman (15-0)
133: Sophomore
Zach Zehner (11-0)
149: Freshman
Jake Elliott (15-8


Bob Bath of Douglas Nominated for National Coach of the Year

By Cody Tucker- Douglas Budget
12 December, 2012

                Surprises don’t come that often any more for head wrestling coach Bob Bath.  After 32 years at Douglas High School, it’s safe to say he has seen it all.  That is, until this week.

                Bath has been nominated for National Coach of the Year, along with 11 other finalist from Wyoming.  According to Bath it was a “shock”.

                “Last week is when I knew I was nominated,” Bath said.  “It’s a great honor, but there are a lot of great coaches out there.  To be even nominated was an honor.”

                Bath has been a coach at Douglas High School for 32 years, including 28 as the head coach of the Bearcat wrestling team.  A former wrestler at the University of Wyoming, Bath has been involved with kids and the sport nearly all of his life.  But, according to Bath, there is a first for everything.  Even if it is an honor that he said he has never shot for.

                “I just think it’s something that I haven’t really worked toward,” he said.  “But after all these years, it’s nice to be selected.  It was definitely a surprise.”

                The longtime Bearcat, who is originally from Rock Springs, said Tyson Shatto, nominated him for the award.

                Bath will head to Des Moines, Iowa to attend coaching clinics for “three or four days,” where the national winners will be announced.

                Bath is the only wrestling coach in the state that received the honor of attending the national ceremony.


Wrestling: Kelly Walsh adds numbers; increase expectations

By By JACK NOWLIN Star-Tribune staff writer
05 December, 2012

Trojans Tracker

SATURDAY: Kelly Walsh at Cheyenne East Charlie Lake Invite, all day.

NUMBERS GAME: After dealing with low turnout the past few years, KW has 50 wrestlers competing for 14 varsity spots.

HE SAID IT: “When you’ve got decent numbers you can generate competition in the wrestling room.” -- KW coach Todd Lattimer.

When the door opened to the Kelly Walsh wrestling room Tuesday, about 50 wrestlers made their way into the practice room.

That number was a marked improvement from previous years, in which the Trojans competed with about half that number.

“We have decent numbers this year,” KW coach Todd Lattimer said. “We’re probably holding steady at 50 [wrestlers], so I’m excited about that.

“When you’ve got decent numbers, then you can generate competition in the wrestling room. That makes us better on the weekends because the kids learn how to be competitive all the time.”

KW finished 10th at the Class 4A state meet last season, but returns four juniors that placed in the top five.

Tannar Galey was the Trojans’ top finisher, winning the 126-pound weight class. Carlos Salazar was third at 120, Conner Hendry fourth at 182 and Kaleb Clark fifth at 285.

Galey took some time off from wrestling this summer to play American Legion baseball for the Casper Oilers.

“It helped to get away from [wrestling] a little bit because it’s such a demanding sport,” he said. “But now I’m ready to go. And I’m excited about our team this year.”

Galey and Salazar got their junior seasons started in style as both won individual titles at last week’s Powell Invitational; Galey at 138 and Salazar at 132.

“Carlos and Tannar looked really, really good at Powell,” Lattimer said. “And they competed against some tough kids, so that was good to see.”

Five other Trojans also placed in the top five at Powell, but the Trojans had just three wrestlers compete in the upper-weight classes.

“We’ve got a lot of learning [in the upper-weight classes],” Lattimer said. “We do have four kids in each of the weight classes, but they’re not ready yet. They’re developing so we’ll see how it goes.

“It’s always exciting when you’ve got a young roster and you’re seeing improvement.”

The Trojans are back on the mat Saturday when they travel to Cheyenne East to compete in the Charlie Lake Invite.

 


Wyoming wrestler McCulley shifts style, goes low to find success

By By BEN FREDERICKSON Star-Tribune staff writer
05 December, 2012

Andy McCulley used to bounce between wrestling styles.“He was inconsistent,” Wyoming wrestling coach Mark Branch said Monday. “He didn’t know what kind of wrestler he wanted to be. He didn’t know if he wanted to stand tall and go upper-body with guys. He didn’t know if he wanted to be on the outside, attacking. He didn’t know if he wanted to go and tie up and look for his attacks from there."

But lately, McCulley, UW's starting 157-pound wrestler, has found a technique that suits him.

"Now he is falling into something he feels comfortable with," Branch said. "He is wrestling from a low level.”

So low, in fact, McCulley has been keeping one knee on the mat in his matches.

“I started wrestling from a knee,” the sophomore from Rock Springs said Monday. “It’s helped guys not get in on my legs.”

McCulley had struggled to defend opponents' shots. His long legs made him more vulnerable. The problem made him timid, less likely to attack on offense due to his propensity for surrendering takedowns. It’s an issue Branch experienced himself when he wrestled at Oklahoma State. To solve things, Branch began wrestling from a knee.

"When you drop down and wrestle in that position, you really shut off all your opponents' shots," Branch said. "For me, it helped my offense, because when I was on my feet worrying about giving up my legs, I couldn't focus on my offense. Once I solved that problem, my offense came together. It's the same for Andy."

The technique made McCulley the highlight of Wyoming’s trip to the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last weekend. The unranked wrestler went 5-1 during the weekend, beat three ranked wrestlers and finished third in the tournament.

"He is starting to figure that out," Branch said. "And you're seeing it. You're seeing a level of comfort. What's making him comfortable is that the way he is wrestling is making his opponents uncomfortable. And that's big."

An example occurred this weekend when McCulley was wrestling 15th-ranked Josh Demas of Ohio State. Demas didn't like that McCulley was coming after him on his knee. He took a step back and waived McCulley up, demanding that he stand. McCulley followed orders, and Branch screamed from the side of the mat.

"We were like, "No!'" Branch said. "If you're frustrating him and he's asking you to change, that's good. ... It's not stalling if you're wrestling from there. It's just another technique we can utilize."

McCulley, who won the match, went back down to one knee. And he plans on staying there no matter how much it frustrates opponents and their coaches.

“Branch always talks about wrestling our style," McCulley said. "I’m finally finding that style that works for me. I’m going to stick with that one.”

Reach reporter Ben Frederickson at ben.frederickson@trib.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ben_Fred.

Cowboys Tracker

WHO: Wyoming sophomore 157-pound wrestler Andy McCulley

GO LOW: McCulley was the star of the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last weekend. He credits his success to a lowered stance that leaves one knee on the mat.

HE SAID IT: "I'm finally finding that style that works for me." - McCulley

NEXT: Wyoming vs. Oklahoma in Arkansas City Kan, 6 p.m. Friday

MORE ONLINE: Follow Star-Tribune reporter Ben Frederickson on Twitter (@Ben_Fred) for news and updates on Wyoming wrestling.

Cowboys Notebook

FIRST LOSS FOR HERNANDEZ: Wyoming senior Alfonso Hernandez, who placed sixth at the NCAA Championships last season, lost his first match of the year in Las Vegas.

Hernandez fell 5-4 to the nation's top ranked 197-pound wrestler, Kent State's Dustin Kilgore. Kilgore won the National Championship last year.

"I thought he [Hernandez] wrestled about as bad as he could have," Branch said. "I think nerves and anxiety got to him. He never looked like he got comfortable in his match.But he was actually able to put together a solid finish. He was a takedown away from winning the match, against what is hands down considered the best guy at that weight ... The great thing about that is he walks away motivated and hungry. Now he believes in himself a little more than he did before."

Hernandez's record is now 13-1.

TOUGH STRETCH: Wyoming has its hands full this weekend. The Pokes wrestle Oklahoma on Friday and Oklahoma State on Saturday. Oklahoma State beat No. 1 Minnesota in a dual earlier this week.

"It will be very challenging," Branch said. "We are going to see some of the top kids in the country. It's going to be a tough road trip. Hopefully, the schedule we have had so far has prepared our kids. This will make our kids tougher. It will prepare them for the best competition. That's why we are doing it. If you don't ever wrestle the best, then how are you going to know how to react, wrestle and maintain your composure when you get to the NCAA Championships?"

HOMETOWN FEEL: Wyoming's dual against Oklahoma on Friday will take place in Arkansas City, Kan., a city just 13 miles from Branch's hometown of Newkirk, Okla.

"I'm going to take our guys to my old high school to work out," Branch said. "It will be fun. We will have a lot of hometown people there. I'm looking forward to that aspect of it."


Hernandez Places Second, McCulley Third As Cowboys Wrap Up Cliff Keen

02 December, 2012

LAS VEGAS -

Team Scores | Final Brackets

Senior Alfonso Hernandez led the charge Saturday as he and the Cowboys capped off a successful tournament at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, as UW finished with three placewinners.

Hernandez, Andy McCulley and Tyler Cox finished sixth or better in their respective weight classes, and Wyoming finished ninth in the team standings with 58 points.

"Overall, it was a very tough tournament," Wyoming coach Mark Branch said. "The great thing about it is we're probably not going to see those other teams again until nationals, so those matches we had will carry us a long way, especially the ones in which we performed well. As a team, it was not a great performance, but had great individual efforts and had some kids establish themselves as top-level competitors."

Hernandez, who finished second, lost his first match of the season to the nation's top-ranked wrestler, Kent State's Dustin Kilgore, in the title tilt at 197 pounds. After going down 4-1 to start the match, fourth-ranked Hernandez battled back to tie it at 4-all, only to see Kilgore earn an escape for the final 5-4 margin. Hernandez now is 13-1.

McCulley, an unranked sophomore, had the best tournament of his young career, toppling two ranked wrestlers en route to finishing third at 157 pounds. He went 5-1 with two pins and a technical fall. McCulley got to the semifinals with an upset of 15th-ranked Josh Demas of Ohio State, but fell to the eventual champ, Oregon State's Roger Pena (18th), to head to the consolation bracket. From there, McCulley beat Northern Iowa's David Bonin, ranked 14th, to head to the third-place match. He then pinned Navy's Bobby Barnhisel at the 6-minute mark for the win, and now owns a 13-2 mark.

Sophomore Cox went 4-3 in the event and advanced to the consolation semifinals at 125 pounds, but couldn't hold off American's David Terao in the fifth-place match, as Terao secured the fall in 4:40. Cox was sixth, placing for the third time this season in a tournament.

"Cox did himself a lot of good," Branch said. "But his style was very inconsistent, so we've got some work to do there. What separated Andy was the fact he found the kind of style he wants to wrestle with and stuck with it. To lose to the eventual champ in a loaded weight class was a great opportunity and he took advantage.

"Fonz had an outstanding tournament, but (in the title match) went out there early and you could tell he had some nerves and a lack of confidence. It was Fonz trying to figure Kilgore out instead of wrestling his match and imposing his will. After that, he had him on the run and scored a big takedown to make it a match. One thing I'm proud of is the team wrestled hard, but some guys don't have confidence in their ability and don't know what kind of style they want to wrestle with."

The Pokes will return to dual action as they hit the road to face Oklahoma on Friday and Oklahoma State on Saturday


Pokes Hit Road For Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational

30 November, 2012

Nov. 29, 2012

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Live results | Weekly Release

Las Vegas is the destination for the University of Wyoming varsity wrestlers this weekend as the Cowboys will compete in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, starting Friday.

The details
Wyoming wrestlers join competitors from 31 other squads in the two-day tournament, starting Friday and continuing Saturday in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Western Wrestling Conference foes Air Force, Northern Colorado and Utah Valley will be in attendance, along with some of the nation's top-ranked teams.

Three of InterMat's top-10 teams on the slate include No. 5 Ohio State, No. 7 Missouri and No. 8 Cornell, along with six other top-25 teams.

The schedule
Friday (All times MT)
10 a.m. - Pigtail round, round 1, round 2, consolation pigtails and consolation round 1
7 p.m. - Quarterfinals and consolation rounds 2 and 3
Saturday
10 a.m. - Consolation round 4
11 a.m. - Semifinals and consolation round 5, consolation semifinals, consolation finals
4 p.m. - Championship finals

Last year
In last season's CKLV event, current Cowboys Alfonso Hernandez, Dakota Friesth and Zach Zehner each placed in the top eight. Hernandez was fourth at 197 pounds, Friesth was eighth at 157 and Zehner was fifth at 133. In the team standings, UW finished third.

A look at these Cowboys
Wyoming enters Friday's action with Hernandez being the only ranked wrestler in the lineup. The senior is tabbed as high as No. 3 at 197 pounds, and owns a 10-0 mark this year, with nine bonus-point wins.

UW is 19th in the WIN Magazine and NWCA/USA Today/Amateur Wrestling News team polls, both dual-based rankings.

Probable lineup (season record):
125 - Sophomore Tyler Cox (8-3)
133 - Senior Kasey Garnhart (6-3)
141 - Senior McCade Ford (8-5)
149 - Sophomore Brandon Richardson (8-4)
157 - Sophomore Andy McCulley (8-1)
165 - Sophomore Dakota Friesth (6-6)
174 - Senior L.J. Helbig (8-3)
184 - Sophomore Shane Woods (7-5)
197 - Senior Alfonso Hernandez (10-0)
285 - Redshirt freshman Tanner Harms (8-2)


Cowboy Wrestling Adds Three Student-Athletes

28 November, 2012

LARAMIE, Wyo. - The efforts of the Wyoming Wrestling coaching staff have paid off as head coach Mark Branch announced Tuesday that three student-athletes had signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Cowboys, starting in the fall of 2013.

Zach Beard, Finn Higgins and Kyle Pope each will join the program after they decided to attend UW over several other nationally prominent programs.

"We feel good about where our team is, but we needed some strength and depth in our upper weights," Branch said. "We need some people challenging each other for competition in the wrestling room. We feel great about the three guys we are signing."

Zach Beard, Tuttle, Okla. (Tuttle HS) - 165/174 pounds
Beard is highly decorated, and is a three-time Oklahoma state champion, a two-time Mid-America Nationals champion and a Fila Cadet Nationals/World Team Trials runner up. He was a USAW Asics Folkstyle and Freestyle national champion and won the title at the 2012 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals.

"Beard is a great pickup for us. He is one of the top recruits in the nation, regardless of weight," Branch said. "He really exemplifies the breakthroughs we're getting in recruiting. He was a highly sought after kid and we stayed persistent. It's been hard to recruit in Oklahoma with the competition we have there so it is rewarding to be able to snag two in one signing period. Zach has succeeded at the highest levels at several national tournaments."

Finn Higgins, Heritage Hall, Okla. (Heritage Hall HS) - 197 pounds
Higgins has placed at the Oklahoma state championships twice. Standing at 6-feet, 3-inches, Higgins has ideal size for a 197-pounder.

"He's a kid with a big frame, and a great kid with great values and great academics," Branch said. "He hadn't proven himself on the national scene, but I feel like he is just hitting his stride and starting to develop. He's a kid who has a huge upside, in my opinion."

 

 


Kyle Pope, Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield HS) - 174/184 pounds
Pope finished second in the California state championships in 2011, and finished third at the Reno Tournament of Champions last season. Pope was a two-way starter on the Bakersfield football team that won the league title. His father, Darryl Pope, was a three-time All-America honoree for CSU Bakersfield.

"We got in late on him, so it happened really fast," Branch said. "He was a kid who we knew was going to fit in here and he knows firsthand what it takes to succeed at the Division I level. His father has passed on some outstanding genes, but more importantly, the mindset of what it takes to win. Kyle has competed in one of the toughest states in the nation and against the best opposition so I think he will be seasoned to make an impact for our team."

Branch said he and the UW coaching staff likely will stay on the recruiting trail and sign more student-athletes in the spring.

"We will re-evaluate our needs and be looking for talent to add to this outstanding trio," Branch said.


Stodola, Hill lead CSC wrestlers at Kearney Tourney

By CSC Sports Information
23 November, 2012

KEARNEY – Senior Dustin Stodola of Clarkson and sophomore Michael Hill of Fort Laramie, Wyo., each placed third in his weight class to lead the Chadron State College wrestling team at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Holiday Inn Wrestling Tournament on Saturday.

Approximately 450 wrestlers were in the tournament.

Stodola went 4-1 in the Elite Division at 133 pounds while earning third. His only loss was to Daniel DeShazer of UNK, a transfer from the University of Oklahoma. All four of Stodola's wins were over wrestlers from Central Oklahoma. Two of them were by scores of 3-2 and 4-2 over Casy Rowell, who placed fifth at 141 pounds at last year's NCAA Division II National Tournament.

Hill went 5-1 while placing third at heavyweight in the Amateur, or underclassman, bracket. His only loss was to Collin Hansen, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln wrestler who won the weight class.

Hill has placed second once and third twice while building his record to 13-3 at the first three tournaments this season. He defeated Marcus Malecek of the U.S. Air Force Academy 7-2 in the match to decide third place at Kearney.

Two more Eagles, Chris Leak of Boys Town at 197 pounds in the Elite Division and Devan Fors of Roseburg, Ore., at 184 in the Amateur Division, finished sixth in their weight classes. Leak split his six matches while Fors went 3-2.

Spencer Hunt of Bellevue also was 3-2 at 125 pounds in the Amateur Division, but did not place. Both Bryce Wiedeman of Mitchell and Dylan Fors, Devan's twin brother, were 2-2 in the tournament.

The Eagles will not be in action during the Thanksgiving weekend, but will enter the Fort Hays State Open Tournament on Dec. 1.

The results at Kearney:
Elite Division
133—Dustin Stodola, CSC, pinned Austin McNatt, Central Oklahoma, 2:08; Stodola dec. Casy Rowell, Central Oklahoma, 3-2; Daniel DeShazer, UNK, dec. Stodola 2-1; Stodola dec. Trison Graham, Central Oklahoma, 11-4; Stodola dec. Rowell, Central Oklahoma, 4-2 for third. (Stodola 4-1).
133—Adam Joseph, UNL, tech. fall Josh McCance, CSC, 16-0; Jeremiah Peterson, Augustana, pinned McCance 2:26. (McCance 0-2).
141—Leandro Arias, CSC, pinned Tim Crocker, unatt, 6:07; Ryan Fillingame, Adams State, dec. Arias 7-5; McCade Ford, Wyoming, dec. Arias 3-1. (Arias 1-2)
157—Dakota Friesth, Wyoming, pinned Bruce Zurek, CSC, 4:43; Zurek dec. Brandon Sharkey, Concordia, 12-8; Chase White, UNK, pinned Zurek 4:19. (Zurek 1-2)
184—Jordan Debus, CSC, dec. Greg Isley, Air Force Academy, 13-6; Jahsua Marsh, Midland, dec. Debus 6-0; Tanner Keck, Central Oklahoma, tech. fall Debus 19-4. (Debus 1-2).
197—Chris Leak, CSC, dec. Hashem Omari, Kansas Newman, 10-5; Tanner Kriss, Fort Hays State, major dec. Leak 13-0; Leak dec. Brad Caris, York, 5-4; Leak dec. Sean Derry, Augustana, 6-4; Jayd Docken, Augustana, major dec. Leak 12-0; Josh Mohr, Air Force Academy, major dec. Leak 11-1 for fifth. (Leak 3-3)
285—Nick Bauman, UNL, pinned Ryley Dawson, CSC, 4:06; Bentley Alsup, AFA, pinned Dawson 2:30. (Dawson 0-2).
Amateur Division
125—Spencer Hunt, CSC, pinned Mike Rothbaum, Midland, 3:20; Drew Templeman, Wyoming, pinned Hunt, 1:28; Hunt dec. Javier Vieyra, Augustana, 5-4; Hunt dec. Alan Callahan, Baker, 6-2; Sebastia Nehis, Colby, major dec. Hunt 6-2 (Hunt 3-2)
125—Jay Stine, CSC, major dec. Brady Wurdeman, Midland, 9-1; Rhett Leach, Labette, dec. Stine 7-2; Ryan Brooks, Central Oklahoma, dec. Stine 11-6 (Stine 1-2)
133—Ryan Bauer, UNK, dec. Bobby West, CSC, 9-7; Juan Zorilla, Labette, major dec. West 10-1. (West 0-2)
141—Paxon Fowler, Baker, dec. Jesse Larralde, CSC, 14-11; Mike Williams, Labette, pinned Larralde 3:12 (Larralde 0-2)
149—Brad Little, Fort Hays, pinned Reed Burgener, CSC-unatt, 5:45; Burgener pinned Drew Fairchild, AFA, 1:12; Troy Bainter, UNL, major dec. Burgener, 14-6. (Burgener 1-2)
157—Bryce Wiedeman, CSC, pinned Ian Ousley, UNL, 6:45; Wiedeman dec. Don Ervin, Central Oklahoma, 8-6; Colton Johnson, UNL, major dec. Wiedeman 8-0; Tyler McMichael, Midland, major dec Wiedeman 12-3. (Wiedeman 2-2)
157--John Lewis, CSU-Pueblo, major dec. Taylor Pownall, CSC, 10-2; Cole Price, Baker, dec. Pownall 3-1. (Pownall 0-2)
165—Dylan Fors, CSC, dec. Jack Wyman, CSU-Pueblo, 6-1; Fors dec. Nick McLean, Baker, 3-0; Tyler Mergen, AFA, dec. Fors 3-2; Bill Baker, AFA, dec. Fors 2-0. (Fors 2-2)
165—Mitch Rechtzigel, Augustana, dec. Tyler Pownall 5-3 in OT; Trevor Sutton, Baker, pinned Pownall 1:07 (Pownall 0-2)
184—Devan Fors, CSC, pinned Kyle Needham, Kansas State, 2:59; Fors dec. Josh Eklund, York, 7-2; Fors dec. Payne Hatter, Labette, 2-1; Dylon Braun, Colby, dec. Fors 4-3; Landon Kieswetter, Pratt, dec. Fors 5-3 for fifth (Fors 3-2)
285—Pedro Garcia, Colby, major dec. Dillon Spies, CSC, 9-1; Travis Schmitz, Wayne State, pinned Spies, 1:30. (Spies 0-2)
285—Michael Hill, CSC, pinned Micah Kekela, Midland, 51 seconds; Hill dec. Grant Sundbye, Baker, 4-2; Hill pinned Jordan Hanson, Wyoming, 3:43; Collin Hansen, UNL, dec. Hill 9-2; Hill pinned Mike Miller, CSU-Pueblo, 1:53; Hill dec. Marcus Malecek, AFA, 7-2 for third. (Hill 5-1)


UW Wrestlers Enjoy Successful Day In Kearney

23 November, 2012

Tournament results

The Wyoming wrestlers walked away with several weight-class titles Saturday in the Nebraska-Kearney Holiday Inn Open, as UW boasted seven tournament champions.

Winners in the Elite brackets included sophomore Zach Zehner at 133 pounds, sophomore Andy McCulley at 157, senior Alfonso Hernandez at 197 and redshirt freshman Tanner Harms at heavyweight. The Cowboys also excelled in the Amateur brackets, as true freshmen Drew Templeman (125), Cole Mendenhall (141) and Benjamin Stroh (184) all came away with tournament crowns.

Zehner and Templeman each won their third tournaments of the year, while McCulley, Hernandez, Mendenhall and Stroh each came out on top for the second time this season.

Zehner, who has competed unattached in each event this year, is unbeaten this season (11-0), along with Templeman, who now is 13-0. Hernandez also has an unblemished record, racking up a 10-0 mark, including nine bonus-point victories.

Other highlights included top-six finishes from sophomore Tyler Cox (125), redshirt freshman Alex Baca (125), senior McCade Ford (141), redshirt freshman Austin Breckenridge (141), sophomore Brandon Richardson (149), sophomore Dakota Friesth (157), senior L.J. Helbig (174), sophomore Shane Woods (184), along with true freshmen Dylan Schumacher (133) and Brent Havlik (165).

Next up, the Pokes will head to the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Nebraska-Kearney Holiday Inn Open
Elite results
125 pounds: Tyler Cox, 2-2, Fourth; Alex Baca, 2-3, Sixth
133: Zach Zehner, 5-0, First; Kasey Garnhart, 3-2; Sean O'Leary, 2-2; Jake Eitzen, 0-2
141: McCade Ford, 4-2, Fifth; Austin Breckenridge, 3-3, Sixth; Kyle Komata, 0-2
149: Brandon Richardson, 3-2, Fourth; Robert Stroh, 0-2
157: Andy McCulley, 4-0, First; Dakota Friesth, 3-2, Fourth
174: L.J. Helbig, 4-1, Third
184: Shane Woods, 3-1, Second
197: Alfonso Hernandez, 4-0, First
285: Tanner Harms, 4-0, First

Amateur results
125 pounds: Drew Templeman, 5-0, First
133: Dylan Schumacher, 7-1, Third
141: Cole Mendenhall, 5-0, First; Cole Ford, 1-2
149: Jake Elliott, 2-2; Tanner Miller, 1-2
165: Brent Havlik, 4-2, Fifth
184: Benjamin Stroh, 4-0, First
285: Jordan Hanson, 2-2


Hill, Arias, Debus place in top five at Colorado Mesa invite

12 November, 2012

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Chadron State College's Mike Hill, Leandro Arias and Jordan Debus had solid performances at the Colorado Mesa Wrestling Invitational Saturday in Grand Junction, Colo.

Hill, a sophomore from Lingle, Wyo., dropped his first match at 285 pounds but strung together four straight wins in the consolation bracket to claim third place. He pinned his first two foes and then earned a sudden victory decision before dispatching Western State's Kyle Graulus by a 4-2 decision in the third place match.

Arias went 4-1 at 141 pounds. He won his first two matches before suffering a tight 2-1 decision to Cody Cole of Western State. Arias rebounded, though, and won two straight decisions to claim third place.

Debus, a junior from Mitchell, easily won his first two matches at 184 but Zack Slotten earned a 3-2 decision to drop him to the wrestlebacks. While there, Ryan Swanson outscored Debus 16-12 but Debus claimed fifth place after picking up a forfeit victory over Khymba Johnson.

Five CSC wrestlers won at least two matches Saturday, including
Josh McCance and Perry McAfee at 133, Bryce Wiedeman at 157, Tyler Smart at 165 and Devan Fors at 184.

CSC Results
125 – Jonathon Stelling, Colorado Mesa, pinned
Spencer Hunt, CSC, 6:43; Hunt dec. Cory Carter, Colorado Mines, 4-2; Adrian Avelar, Western Wyoming, dec. Hunt, 7-4. (Hunt 1-2)
133 –
Josh McCance, CSC, major dec. Eli Perez, Western State, 10-2; McCance dec. Joshua Metivier, Utah Valley, 8-4; Zach Shank, UA, pinned McCance, 1:00; Chaz Lovato, Western Wyoming, dec. McCance, 7-6. (McCance 2-2)
133 –
Perry McAfee, CSC, dec. Chaz Lovato, Western Wyoming, 11-4; McAfee dec. Brandon Gallagher, UA, 8-5; Daniel Salazar, Colorado Mesa, dec. McAfee, 4-2; Tyler Adams, Western State, pinned McAfee, 2:43; Travis Roberts, Sierra College, dec. McAfee, 8-7 (McAfee 2-3)
133 – Daniel Salazar, Colorado Mesa, pinned
Bobby West, CSC, 6:15; West major dec. Joshua Metivier, Utah Valley, 12-4; Colby Watters, Colorado Mines, dec. West, 11-4 (West 1-2)
141 –
Leandro Arias, CSC, dec. Zack Denney, UA, 2-0; Arias pinned Shannon Maris, UA, 6:33; Cody Cole, Western State, dec. Arias, 2-1; Arias, dec. Denney, 3-2; Arias dec. Andy Jones, UA, 12-6 for third place. (Arias 4-1)
141 – Gable Prach, Colorado Mines, pinned
Jesse Larralde, CSC, 6:18; Zack Denney, UA, pinned Larralde, 3:00. (Larralde 0-2)
149 –
Reed Burgener, CSC, pinned Robbie Workman, Embry Riddle, 1:00; Tucker Ray, Utah Valley, pinned Burgener, 3:01; Josh Chang, Embry Riddle, technical fall Burgener, 17-1 (Burgener 1-2)
157 – Zachary Young, Colorado Mines, dec. Bryce Wideman, CSC, 6-4; Wiedeman pinned Eric Bach, UA, 3:40; Wideman dec. Garrett Adams, UA, 9-7; Wideman pinned Austin Harris, Western State, 3:23; Juan Alvararado, N.M. major dec. Wiedeman, 12-4. (Wiedeman 3-2)
157 – Nick Swanson, UA, major dec.
Bruce Zurek, CSC, 14-2; Zurek pinned Aaron Demay, Sierra; Jesse Routsong, Embry Riddle, pinned Zurek. (Zurek 1-2)
165 – Tyler Miles, Colorado Mesa pinned
Taylor Pownall, CSC, 2:15; Horaciao Vialpando, UA, pinned Taylor Pownall, 4:25. (Taylor Pownall 0-2)
165 –
Tyler Smart, CSC, dec. Willy Holdren, UA, 6-0; Smart, dec. Joshua Brown, Colorado Mesa, 6-2; Travis Saxon, N.M., dec. Smart, 3-1 in sudden victory; Smart, forfeit Jake Eggers, UA, Caleb Wyatt, Colorado Mesa, dec. Smart, 6-3 (Smart 3-2)
165 – Jessie Hoffschneider, UA, pinned
Tyler Pownall, CSC, 1:02; Jake Eggers, UA, pinned Tyler Pownall, 1:28 (Pownall 0-2)
174 – No CSC entry
184 –
Devan Fors, CSC, pinned Hunter Murry, Dixie State, 6:17; Nick Petersen, Colorado Mesa, major dec. Fors, 12-4; Fors pinned Dylan Turley-Rule, Northern Colorado; Ryan Swanson, Colorado Mines, dec. Fors, 7-0. (Fors 2-2)
184 –
Jordan Debus, CSC, major dec. Dylan Turley-Rule, Northern Colorado, 16-4; Debus pinned Khymba Johnson, Sierra College, 3:00; Zak Slotten, Colorado Mesa, dec. Debus, 3-2; Ryan Swanson, dec. Debus, 16-12; Debus forfeit Khymba Johnson, Sierra, for fifth place. (Debus 3-2)
197 – Paul Wilson, major dec.
Chris Leak, 13-0; Leak pinned Sam Johnstone, Embry Riddle, 1:50; Leak dec. Troy Kilgore, Embry Riddle, 10-4; Riley Argyle, Western Wyoming, dec. Leak, 7-1 (Leak 2-2)
285 – Josh Atkinson, UA, dec.
Ryley Dawson, CSC, 3-1; Alexander MacKenzie, Colorado Mines, pinned Dawson, 2:39. (Dawson 0-2)
285 – Daniel Gusez, Sierra, dec.
Mike Hill, CSC, 4-0; Mike Hill, CSC, pinned Cody Marquez, N.M. Highlands; Hill pinned Alexander MacKenzie, Colorado Mines, 4:07; Hill dec. Zac Jensen, Utah Valley, 3-1 in sudden victory; Hill dec. Kyle Graulus, Western State, 4-2 for third place (4-1)


Late Wyoming Rally Falls Short In Loss To Nebraska

11 November, 2012

 

Nov. 11, 2012

Match results

Despite a spirited comeback effort in which Wyoming stormed back from 16 points down, the Cowboy wresters suffered their first dual defeat of the season Sunday to No. 9 Nebraska, 22-15.

UW (1-1 overall) fell in a 16-0 hole to begin the dual, but three decisions and one pin brought the 19th-ranked Pokes to within one point, only to see the Huskers (2-0) earn narrow wins in the last two matches.

"From a team standpoint, I was very disappointed. The score reflected that. We had some kids who wrestled well enough to put us into position to be competitive and have an opportunity to win. Which, with the way it started out, surprised me," Wyoming coach Mark Branch said.

"We buried ourselves into a hole with some very uninspiring performances. You feel for the kids following those because it's not very uplifting. It was very frustrating, but I saw guys claw back and give us an opportunity."

Action began at 157 pounds with UW sophomore Dakota Friesth and fifth-ranked James Green of Nebraska. Green was on the attack early and earned the 14-1 major decision. Nebraska followed that same script over the next three matches, earning major decisions to build a 16-0 lead.

But Wyoming leaned on its senior leader, Alfonso Hernandez, and the 197-pound All-America honoree didn't disappoint. He grinded out a 3-0 decision, beating Nebraska's Caleb Kolb to put the Pokes on the scoreboard. Hernandez now is 6-0 for the season.

Cowboy redshirt freshman Tanner Harms then improved his dual record to 2-0 with a gritty 11-5 decision over Donny Longendyke at heavyweight and Wyoming cut the lead to 16-6.

"That was a big win for Tanner. He sucked it up and wrestled hard," Branch said of Harms' efforts.

Sophomore Tyler Cox provided the fireworks at 125 pounds, when he overcame an early 2-0 deficit to pin Nebraska's Eric Coufal at the 6:16 mark. That got the Wyoming crowd on its feet, and the score moved to 16-12.

"That was huge," Branch said of Cox's performance. "You got the crowd involved and closed the gap on the score."

Senior 133-pounder Kasey Garnhart added three more team points with a nice 5-2 decision over Shawn Nagel, and UW cut the deficit to 16-15. But Nebraska was too much down the stretch as the Huskers earned decisions at 141 and 149 pounds to end the dual.

Up next, Wyoming will hit the road for the Nebraska-Kearney Open on Saturday.

Match results
157 pounds: No. 5 James Green (UN) maj. dec. Dakota Friesth (UW), 14-1 / Nebraska 4, Wyoming 0
165: Austin Wilson (UN) maj. dec.
Andy McCulley (UW), 13-5 / Nebraska 8, Wyoming 0
174: No. 8 Robert Kokesh (UN) maj. dec. L.J. Heblig (UW), 17-4 / Nebraska 12, Wyoming 0
184: No. 6 Josh Ihnen (UN) maj. dec.
Shane Woods (UW), 13-3 / Nebraska 16, Wyoming 0
197: No. 4
Alfonso Hernandez (UW) dec. Caleb Kolb (UN), 3-0 / Nebraska 16, Wyoming 3
285:
Tanner Harms (UW) dec. Donny Longendyke (UN), 11-5 / Nebraska 16, Wyoming 6
125: No. 18
Tyler Cox (UW) fall (6:16) Eric Coufal (UN) / Nebraska 16, Wyoming 12
133:
Kasey Garnhart (UW) dec. Shawn Nagel (UN), 5-2 / Nebraska 16, Wyoming 15
141: Skylar Galloway (UN) dec.
Kyle Komata (UW), 8-3 / Nebraska 19, Wyoming 15
149: Ridge Kiley (UN) dec.
Brandon Richardson (UW), 3-1 / Nebraska 22, Wyoming 15


Northwest Wrestling Opens Season

By RANDAL HOROBIK
08 November, 2012

No. 11 Northwest Hammers No. 14 Western Wyoming In Dual

A highly anticipated meeting of nationally-ranked Wyoming junior college wrestling programs turned into a rout as No. 11 Northwest College hammered No. 14 Western Wyoming 36-16 in a head-to-head dual between the schools on Thursday.

The in-state match raised the curtain on the 2012-13 wrestling season for Northwest.

“We came out with three straight pins in the first three weights and really took a lot out of them early,” said Trapper wrestling coach Jim Zeigler. “They were really looking forward to the dual and thought they could give us a run, so to open like that really sucked a lot of life out of them.”

Cody Vichi (125) got the Trappers off to a fast start with a second- period win by fall to open the dual. Ben Jorgensen (133) followed by pressing his opponent to the mat before the first period expired. Zach Loveless (141) followed with another second-period win by fall.

Northwest left the 149-pound slot vacant for the dual, giving Western its first points. The Mustangs weren’t able to get any momentum, however, as Colton Thornton won by decision at 157.

Arizona freshman Diorian Coleman followed with a decision win over a nationally-ranked wrestler from Western Wyoming, all but clinching the dual victory for Northwest in the process.

Cole McArther dropped a major decision at 174, subbing in at the weight as the Trappers juggled their lineup to account for some early-season weight certification issues. Powell’s Randy Andrews secured the dual victory officially for the Trappers at 184 with a win. Caleb Cotter gave Northwest more points with a win over a nationally ranked opponent at 197 and Western Wyoming struck last with a win by fall over Jade Parsons in the heavyweight division.

“It was a really good win for us,” said Zeigler. “I was excited. We’re a young crew with only one sophomore wrestling at Western, so for most of those guys that was their first official college match. I’m really pleased with how they came out of the gate. We’re still really green, but we showed that we’re also really talented.”

That talent continued to be on display on Saturday as the Trappers took part in the Cowboy Open at the University of Wyoming.

Colby Kloetzer took the championship in the amateur bracket at 149 pounds, defeating all five of the opponents he faced along the way. Teammate Jeff McCormick added a third-place finish at that weight, finishing 5-1 and showcasing the Trappers’ depth at the division.

Zach Loveless also advanced to the championship match of the 141-pound division, but was medically defaulted prior to the start of that match, finishing his day 5-0. Medical defaults do not count against wrestlers’ individual records.

“Zach got hit in the head in a really hard semifinal match and he just seemed really dopey and groggy to me,” said Zeigler. “I didn’t want to fool with that, especially this early in the season.”

Colton Thornton went 4-1 at 157 pounds to also place for the Trappers. The team had several others who narrowly missed a place on the podium in Laramie.

“Vichi went 2-2 for us at 125,” said Zeigler. “T.J. Guild wrestled up a weight at 141 and finished 3-2 despite giving up several pounds. Ben Jorgensen was 2-2 at 133. Diorian Coleman went 4-2 at 165. Randy Andrews went 3-2 and missed by a match at his regular weight of 174. Cole McArther was also 3-2 in that 174-pound bracket. Overall, it was a great tournament for us.”

The Trappers host their own tournament this Saturday. Wyoming, Air Force, Colorado State-Pueblo, the University of Great Falls, Montana State-Northern and North Idaho will be in attendance. Other schools and club teams may also send wrestlers to the meet.

“We’ll start wrestling on four mats at 9 a.m. and go straight through until we’re finished,” said Zeigler.


Wyoming's Alfonso Hernandez Wins First Weekly WWC Honor

06 November, 2012

Nov. 6, 2012

OREM, Utah - University of Wyoming 197-pound senior Alfonso Hernandez (Blackfoot, Idaho/Blackfoot HS) has been named the first Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week for the 2012-13 season. The conference honor was announced Tuesday by the league.

Hernandez (ranked fourth by InterMat) had a dominant opening weekend, starting off the season 5-0 in two events - a dual versus No. 24 Boise State and at the Cowboy Open.

The Cowboys, ranked 19th, beat the Broncos 26-12, thanks in part to Hernandez and his effort. He started the year off by beating Boise State's Cody Dixon with a pin at 5:51 for six team points. Two days later, he followed that up with four straight wins and the 197-pound title in the Cowboy Open, compiling two pins, one technical fall, and one major decision.

The 2012 All-American grappler is the reigning conference wrestler of the year and since the beginning of the 2011 he has won 45 out of 53 matches. The weekly honor is Hernandez's first of his career.

The Western Wrestling Conference, which is in its seventh year of competition, is comprised of six schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.

2012-13 WWC Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 6 - Alfonso Hernandez (Wyoming)


Cowboy Wrestlers Prepare For Two Events To Start Season

01 November, 2012

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Live stats for Boise State dual | Live stats for Cowboy Open tournament | Live WYO-Vision video versus Boise State (subscription-based service)

The regular season starts off with a bang Thursday for the University of Wyoming wrestling team as the Cowboys welcome Boise State for a dual, and two days after that, UW hosts the 35th annual Cowboy Open tournament.

About Wyoming
Wyoming coach Mark Branch enters his fifth season at the helm of the Cowboys, having won 75 percent (48 out of 64) of the duals in his career. UW came in 19th last season at the NCAA Championships, its best finish since 1996. In 2011-12, the Pokes went 10-3 in duals and a perfect 6-0 in Western Wrestling Conference action, and won their third-straight conference tournament crown.

The details
No. 19 Wyoming and No. 24 Boise State will square off in a dual that serves as the season opener for both teams. Matches begin at 7 p.m. Thursday in the UniWyo Sports Complex.

On Saturday, nearly 450 wrestlers from 19 schools from around the region visit Laramie for the Cowboy Open, which takes place on 10 mats in the War Memorial Fieldhouse. Action begins at 9 a.m. and continues all day.

The rankings
Boise State and Wyoming each have wrestlers in the top 20 of the InterMat rankings. For UW, sophomore 125-pounder Tyler Cox is ranked 17th and senior 197-pounder Alfonso Hernandez is No. 4 in the nation. The Broncos feature five ranked wrestlers, including No. 12 Brian Owen at 133, No. 2 Jason Chamberlain at 149, No. 18 George Ivanov at 157, No. 12 Jake Swartz at 184 and 15th-ranked Brent Chriswell at 197.

The team rankings feature both teams as well. InterMat, a tournament-based poll, lists Wyoming at No. 22, while Boise State is 16th. The USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll has UW at No. 19, and Boise State in the 24th spot.

About Boise State
Boise State was 4-9 in 2012 and went 1-5 in Pac-12 action. But the Broncos return all 10 starters from last season's squad, which featured wins over CSU Bakersfield and Chattanooga. Boise State finished second in Pac-12 Championships, trailing champion Oregon State by just nine points. Greg Randall, the Broncos' head coach, has won 102 duals in his time at Boise State.

Series history
UW has wrestled Boise State 23 times in history, and has earned a 9-13-1 mark. The series dates back to 1975. Boise State won the last meeting, working for a 24-15 win in Cedar Falls, Iowa, at the 2009 NWCA National Duals.

About the Cowboy Open
The 35th Cowboy Open has been a staple of the Cowboy Wrestling program, taking place over the span of five different decades. The first Cowboy Open took place in 1974 under head coach Joe Dowler, and the Cowboys have hosted it every year since then, with the exception of four seasons. Wyoming has hosted it for 22-straight seasons, since 1990-91.


Western Wrestling Conference Gears Up for Seventh Season of Competition in 2012-13

25 October, 2012

OREM, Utah – Coming off of one of its best seasons of competition, the Western Wrestling Conference, an NCAA Division I wrestling-only alliance, will begin its seventh year of competition in 2012-13.

Current members of the Western Wrestling Conference include: the United States Air Force Academy, North Dakota State University, the University of Northern Colorado, South Dakota State University, Utah Valley University and the University of Wyoming.

The WWC had another solid year in 2011-12, with two league wrestlers earning All-America honors and Wyoming placing 19th at the NCAA Championships. The conference has now had 11 All-Americans in its first sixyears of existence. In 2012, Wyoming’s Alfonso Hernandez (197) and Joe LeBlanc (184) placed sixth and seventh respectively at the NCAA Championships. For Hernandez it was his first All-America award but for LeBlanc it was his fourth, as he became the league’s first four-time All-American.

Along with his seventh-place showing in 2012, LeBlanc finished fourth at the NCAA Tournament in 2010, fifth in 2009, and sixth in2011. The University of Northern Iowa’s Moza Fay was a two-time placer during his tenure by finishing sixth at 165 pounds in 2009 and fifth at that same weight in 2008. Northern Colorado’s Justin Gaethje (157) finished seventh in 2010 and UNI’s Jarion Beets (174) placed eighth that same year. In 2011, Utah Valley’s Ben Kjar became the Wolverines’ first-ever wrestling All-American by placing fourth (125) and Wyoming’s Shane Onufer finished fifth (165).

In all, 18 wrestlers from the WWC qualified for the 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling National Championships, 17 via automatic slots and one at-large selection. The WWC had seven competitors who were seeded in the top-12 of their brackets. At 133 pounds, UNI’s Joe Colon was the fifth-seed, while Air Force’s Cole VonOhlen earned the No. 3 seed at 149 pounds. NDSU’s Steven Monk was the No. 12 seed at 157 pounds, Wyoming’s Onufer was the No. 2 seed at 165 pounds, UW’s LeBlanc was the No. 1 seed at 184, UNI’s Ryan Loder was the No. 8 seed at 184 and UW’s Hernandez was the No. 9 seed at 197.

The 2012 NCAA West Regional served as the conference tournament for the sixth straight season. The tournament was held at UNI’s McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In the team race, Wyoming won its third consecutive tournament title as it finished with 93.5 points, 17.5 ahead of UNI who came in second. The Cowboys also won the league’s regular season dual title with an unblemished 6-0 record. In years past UNI won the regular season in 2011, Wyoming won it in 2010, UW and UNItied for the title in 2009, and the Panthers were tops in the league after both the 2008 and 2007 seasons.

The league’s three major postseason awards in 2012 were given to three individuals from the University of Wyoming. Wyoming’s Hernandez was named Wrestler of the Year, the Cowboys’ Zach Zehner was tabbed as Freshman of the Year and UW’s Mark Branch was chosen as Coach of the Year. The honor for Branch was his third coach of the year award in the past four seasons after he led his Cowboys to a top-20 finish at the NCAA Championships in 2012 and a No. 11 ranking in the final NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll.

In the near future, the goal of the league is to replace the West Regional with the conference tournament, which would then serve as theNCAA qualifier.

The 2013 NCAA West Regional/WWC Championships will be held on Saturday, March 9 at the Arena Auditorium on the campus of the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo.

The WWC recognizes student-athletes on both a weekly and full-season basis. Individual awards include Wrestler of the Week; All-Conference teams; an Academic All-Conference team; and Wrestler, Newcomer and Coach of the Year awards. The league also crowns a team champion following the conclusion of the regular season conference competition and the postseason tournament.

The governance of the Western Wrestling Conference remains primarily with the member institutions. Scheduling of contests, assignment of officials and certain media relations functions remain with member institutions.

A major benefit of having a league that is geographically spread out over five states and two time zones is the added exposure - both in terms of media and recruiting - in new destinations. The conference affiliation also generates much interest within the six schools’ substantial alumni base, which numbers nearly 800,000 combined.

North Dakota State, Northern Colorado and South Dakota State have all made the move from Division II to Division I since joining the WWC. UVU moved directly from Junior College (NJCAA) Athletics to NCAA Division I and completed its reclassification prior to the 2009-10 season.


CSC Wrestling Team Hosting Public Practice Saturday

25 October, 2012

CHADRON – The Chadron State College wrestling team will be joining in the homecoming festivities this weekend when it hosts a public practice Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in the Nelson Physical Activity Center.

The Eagles will then make their next public appearance at the annual Red and White Dual at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1.

The wrestling team is expected to have outstanding depth. There are 31 men on the roster as Brett Hunter, a two-time national champion for the Eagles, takes over as the interim head coach. Hunter is succeeding his college coach, Dr. Scott Ritzen, who capably ran the Eagles' mat program the past quarter century.

Hunter said he's excited about the potential of this year's team. It includes the wrestlers who filled eight of the 10 weight classes much of last year, several capable alternates and a group of promising freshmen.

One of the four seniors on the roster, Chris Leak, was tabbed by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's top 197-pounder in a preseason balloting of the coaches. He's also ranked fifth in the NCAA D-II preseason rankings at that weight.

Another senior, Dustin Stodola, is expected to be a starter for the fourth straight season. The other seniors, Chadron native Josh McCance, and Perry McAfee are among those vying to fill the 133-pound weight class.

Stodola had a winning record at 133 last year and was 12-13 at that weight as a sophomore, but Hunter believes he can have more success if he can shed a few pounds and wrestle at 125 this year. He was a 125-pounder as a freshman.

The other returning starters from last year include Leandro Arias at 141 pounds, C.J. Clark at 149, Bruce Zurek at 157, Bret Klopp at 174, Jordan Debus at 184 and Mike Hill at heavyweight.

Hill shared the heavyweight slot last year with R.J. Boylan, who has another year of eligibility, but won't compete this winter because of a persistent back problem.


CSC's Chris Leak Named to Preseason All-Conference Team

21 October, 2012

CHADRON - Chadron State's Chris Leak has been named to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preseason Wrestling All-Conference team at 197 pounds.

Leak, a senior from Omaha, Neb., was a unanimous selection. He finished last season with an 11-13 record and was sixth at the RMAC/Super Region Four tournament.

The RMAC Preseason Wrestler of the Year is Grand Canyon's Kyle McCrite, the defending national champion at 125 pounds.

Grand Canyon received eight first place votes and is picked to finish first in the preseason coaches poll.

Chadron is picked to finish seventh.

Last season, the Eagles finished ninth at the regional tourney. In addition to Leak, Chadron State returns several veteran grapplers.

Jordan Debus, a junior from Mitchell, is a two-time national qualifier.

Four other starters had winning records in 2011-12. They are Leandro Arias, Dustin Stodola, Mike Hill and Bret Klopp.

The Eagles, who began practice last week will open their season Saturday, Oct. 27 with a public practice scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in the Nelson Physical Activity Center.


Wyoming Wrestlers Ready To Hit Practice Mats

12 October, 2012

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Quick Facts

After one of the most successful seasons in history, the Wyoming Cowboy wrestling program will take to the mat Wednesday for the first day of regular-season practice for the 2012-13 campaign.

The outlook
Despite losing several talented wrestlers to graduation, expectations still are elevated for the Cowboys. Mark Branch enters his fifth year as head coach and he has his sights set on a fourth-straight Western Wrestling Conference title.

Top returners for the Cowboys include sophomore Zach Zehner, junior Patrick Martinez and senior Alfonso Hernandez, all of whom qualified for the NCAA Championships last year. Senior L.J. Helbig was a 2011 NCAA qualifier as well. Hernandez earned All-America honors at 197 pounds last season, finishing sixth.

"We have been anticipating the first practice for quite some time now," Branch said. "Our team is anxious and hungry and they know we have a short timetable to get prepared for some of our toughest competition.

"We will have less than a month to get ready for a very strong Boise State team so we have to get right to work. I think the most exciting thing is we have some guys who have stood in the shadows of some Wyoming Wrestling greats and now they see an opportunity to shine and stand out. We expect to continue to improve each week and each year until we climb to the top. It will be very fun to watch this team develop over the season."

Get ready, here it comes
The dual season begins with a bang this year, as the Cowboys host Boise State and Nebraska in the first two weeks of November. UW will battle 14th-ranked Boise State on Nov. 1 and 18th-ranked Nebraska on Nov. 11. Wyoming will host the Cowboy Open tournament on Nov. 3.

Keep the momentum
Last season, Wyoming finished 19th in the team standings at the NCAA Championships, the first top-20 finish since 1996. The Cowboys were 10-3 and 6-0 in Western Wrestling Conference action and return as one of the favorites in the conference race.

Changes in conference
The WWC will have a different look this season after Northern Iowa announced it would compete in the Mid-America Conference, effective in 2012-13. There now are six members of the WWC, including Wyoming, Air Force, South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Utah Valley and Northern Colorado.

Rank `em
The Cowboys are ranked No. 25 in the WIN Magazine preseason team poll and several Cowboys are ranked in the top 25 in the individual rankings. Zehner is 14th at 133, Martinez is 17th at 174 and Hernandez is fourth at 197.