In their home opener, the University of Wyoming wrestling team dominated Western Wyoming with a decisive 46-0 victory, 7220sports.com reports.
This shutout marked Wyoming’s second win of the season, improving the team’s record to 2-0 and delivering the largest victory margin in head coach Mark Branch’s tenure. The win was also Wyoming’s first shutout since 2014.
Following last week’s season-opening win against Campbell, Branch expressed a desire for his team to show more aggression on the mat. The Cowboys responded in full on Saturday, delivering a highly aggressive and tactical performance that earned them eight bonus-point victories, including five pins.
Wyoming’s No. 2-ranked wrestler, Jore Volk (125 lbs), set the tone early by pinning Sefton Douglass in the second period, securing his first fall since his freshman season. Stockton O’Brien (133 lbs) followed with his second pin in as many matches, taking down Zach Marrero in another second-period fall. Cole Brooks (141 lbs) added to Wyoming’s momentum, pinning Dmitri Garza-Alarcon in the first period to push Wyoming’s lead to 18-0.
The Cowboys continued their winning streak with three consecutive major decisions. Gabe Willochell (149 lbs), Jared Hill (157 lbs), and Cooper Voorhees (165 lbs) each won their bouts with significant margins, defeating their opponents by 12 or more points. Seamus Casey (174 lbs), wrestling in his first dual as a Cowboy and moving up a weight class, earned a close 6-3 decision against Sam May. Brett McIntosh (184 lbs), also competing up a weight class, majored Banks Love with a final score of 12-2.
Joey Novak (197 lbs) recorded another pin, his second in two matches, overcoming Ian Dickinson in the first period. The heavyweight bout, featuring Kevin Zimmer, concluded the meet with Zimmer defeating Dmarian Lopez, ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA, in a close 4-2 decision. Zimmer’s victory over the top-ranked heavyweight wrestler was a strong finish to an already impressive team performance.
“Today was a step forward. Our wrestlers are getting more comfortable and confident with each match. We saw improvements in foot and hand movement, but there’s still room to grow in our aggression on the mat,” Branch noted.
The Cowboys next faced No. 3 Oklahoma State on October 22. This will be followed by Jore Volk’s participation in the NWCA All-Star Classic on November 16 in State College, Pennsylvania.
Match Summary:
- Wyoming 46 | Western Wyoming 0
- Individual results:
- 125: Jore Volk (Wyoming) def. Sefton Douglass (Western Wyoming) – Pin, 4:36
- 133: Stockton O’Brien (Wyoming) def. Zach Marrero (Western Wyoming) – Pin, 4:52
- 141: Cole Brooks (Wyoming) def. Dmitri Garza-Alarcon (Western Wyoming) – Pin, 1:58
- 149: Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) def. Tristan Stafford (Western Wyoming) – Major decision, 15-3
- 157: Jared Hill (Wyoming) def. Hixton Canto (Western Wyoming) – Major decision, 15-5
- 165: Cooper Voorhees (Wyoming) def. Banks Norby (Western Wyoming) – Major decision, 17-5
- 174: Seamus Casey (Wyoming) def. Sam May (Western Wyoming) – Decision, 6-3
- 184: Brett McIntosh (Wyoming) def. Banks Love (Western Wyoming) – Major decision, 12-2
- 197: Joey Novak (Wyoming) def. Ian Dickinson (Western Wyoming) – Pin, 1:59
- HWT: Kevin Zimmer (Wyoming) def. Dmarian Lopez (Western Wyoming) – Decision, 4-2