After 76 days without a home competition, the University of Wyoming wrestling team is finally returning to the UniWyo Sports Complex this weekend, 7220 Sports reports.
The Cowboys, currently with a 6-5 overall record and 0-2 in Big 12 competition, will face Utah Valley on Friday at 6 p.m. and Cal Baptist on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Head coach Mark Branch expressed the team’s excitement to return home after an extended stretch of travel.
“Our guys are definitely looking forward to not traveling this weekend,” Branch said. “It’s been a long stretch of driving and flying and sleeping in strange beds, so it will be nice to be at home for so many reasons. We need to show up and perform for our fans and entertain them with an aggressive style.”
The Pokes’ most recent home meet took place on Nov. 9, when they defeated Western Wyoming in an impressive 46-point victory, the highest score in Branch’s 17-year tenure. Since then, Wyoming has been on the road, picking up a string of close victories, including a 19-17 win over Oregon State, marking their third consecutive win by three points or fewer.
The Cowboys will rely on standout performances from wrestlers like No. 11 Joey Novak (197), who is undefeated since returning from injury, and No. 19 Gabe Willochell (149) and No. 20 Jared Hill (157), both of whom have had strong seasons with multiple ranked wins. Other notable wrestlers include Eddie Neitenbach (184), Sam Mitchell (HWT), Garrett Ricks (125), Stockton O’Brien (133), Cole Brooks (141), and Cooper Voorhees (165), all of whom will be key contributors in the duals this weekend.
In their competition, the Cowboys will face Utah Valley, which is also receiving votes in the NWCA Coaches’ Poll. Utah Valley has a 5-5 record and 1-2 mark in Big 12 action. The Wolverines feature two ranked wrestlers, No. 4 Terrell Barraclough (165) and No. 16 Haiden Drury (141), who are expected to compete on Friday.
Wyoming will also take on Cal Baptist, which has a 5-5 overall record and a 2-3 mark in conference play. Cal Baptist has one ranked wrestler, No. 30 Nathan Haas (184).
After the home duals, Wyoming will travel once again, with upcoming meets against North Dakota State on Jan. 31 and No. 12 South Dakota State on Feb. 1.
In addition to these matchups, three Wyoming wrestlers—Joey Novak (197), Jared Hill (157), and Gabe Willochell (149)—were recently ranked in the first Coaches’ Ranking of the season. The rankings play a crucial role in NCAA Championship selection and seeding.
