This past Sunday the Wyoming wrestling team consistently won close bouts against a worthy opponent under the lights of the Bank of Colorado Arena. The Pokes won 26-9 against Northern Colorado and only gave up 3 losses, which were all by decision.
No. 14 Andy McClulley, earned the only pin of the night at 174 lbs, this was also his 101st win for the Pokes. “Andy McCulley came out after having a great week of practice,” head coach Mark Branch said. “We had adjusted our training a little bit this last week, and I was afraid that we might have a little fatigue from those adjustments, but I really thought we came out and wrestled pretty well.”
Archie Colgan kick started Wyoming’s momentum right from the start at 157 lbs. with a dominant 7-1 decision against Beau Roberts of UNC. Colgan claimed a takedown in the middle of the 1st period and cemented his victory with 2 points near fall and another takedown in the third period. Archie also was awarded one point of riding time at the end of the match. Colgan ran a stingy match only giving Roberts one point for an escape in the 2nd period. The next bout of the afternoon proved to be closer with Wyoming’s No. 18 Dakota Friesth beating No.19 Mitchell Polkowski by a marginal one point, 5-4. This bout also had high stakes because Friesth had to defend his No. 18 spot against Polkowski, who is one rung lower than Polkowski at the No.19 spot. Andy McMulley brought fear back into Northern Colorado’s eyes with a pin against Josh Van Tine. McMulley grinded Tine into the ground 12-3 until he showed mercy on Tine and ended his pain, pinning him in the 3rd period.
After Tines’ loss the Pokes had Northern Colorado on their heels with a match score of 12-0 going into the 4rth match. At 184 lbs. Wyoming brought out red shirt freshman Luke Paine into the mix against Keith Johnson of UNC. Going into the match Paine had a dual meet record of 0-1, in light of this Paine was able to overcome adversity and keep the pokes momentum going with an impressive 10-2 major decision, giving Wyoming a dominating 16 point advantage on Northern Colorado. The next six matches proved to be closer in skill set with all of the last 6 matches ending in decision except for one major decision. No. 14 Shane Woods displayed steady nerves and scathed by Trent Noon 3-0 giving Northern Colorado nothing to hold until in their steady fall to defeat.
UNC’S Brian Macchione must have been taking notes from Wyoming and beat the Pokes Leland Pfeifer by a narrow margin of 3 points as well, beating Pfeifer 8-5. University of Northern Colorado’s No. 20 Trey Andrews won by decision as well against Gunnar Woodburn 6-4. The match’s last major decision was recorded by our own Drew Templeman against Michael Espinoza 12-3. Northern Colorado got there last ration of victory with Ben Polkowski beating the pokes Cole Mendenhall 1-0. Wyoming’s wrestling team put the nail on UNC’S coffin with a dominating 8-2 performance by Austin Breckenridge beating UNC’S Nick Adams.
Wyoming will now prepare for the Western Regional Championship in St. Louis, Mo. on March 7.
