The University of Wyoming wrestling team, known for its resilience and standout performances last season, is aiming even higher as it heads into the 2024-25 season, Cap City News reports.
After a strong showing in the Big 12 Tournament, where the Cowboys pulled off multiple upsets, and an impressive NCAA Championships run, head coach Mark Branch and his team are looking to turn last year’s momentum into an established standard.
“Our challenge to the team this year has been to raise our expectations… Last season, some of our wrestlers were surprised at their own success, but we want that to be the expectation now. We believe in this team’s potential, but they need to believe in themselves without holding back,” Branch said.
This confidence is fueled by a roster brimming with experience, including the return of nine out of ten starters. Joining these veterans are a mix of transfers and promising freshmen, creating depth and competition across weight classes. Key among the returning wrestlers is Jore Volk (125 lbs), who is already ranked in the top five in preseason polls. Volk finished seventh at last season’s NCAA Championships, where he achieved All-American status after winning four consecutive matches, including a victory over the No. 1 seed.
Also returning are NCAA qualifiers Joey Novak (197 lbs) and Gabe Willochell (149 lbs), who both delivered upsets at the national level last season. They are joined by transfers Jared Hill (157 lbs), a two-time NCAA qualifier from Oklahoma, and Sam Mitchell (197 lbs), an NCAA Championship competitor from Buffalo who is moving up in weight this season.
In addition to these seasoned athletes, multiple Cowboys who reached the podium at last season’s Big 12 Tournament will be competing for starting roles. Among them are Cole Brooks (141 lbs), Sloan Swan (157 lbs), Cooper Voorhees (165 lbs), and Ethan Ducca (184 lbs). Freshman Riley Davis (174 lbs), who showed promise before a season-ending injury last December, and heavyweight Kevin Zimmer, who fought through a mid-season knee injury, are also back in action.
