The University of Wyoming wrestling team was unable to overcome a slow start on Saturday night, suffering a 31-3 loss to No. 11 South Dakota State at the First Bank & Trust Arena, KGAB AM 650 reports.
The Cowboys fell to 9-6 on the season and 3-3 in Big 12 competition, with their four-match win streak coming to an end. South Dakota State improved to 12-3 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
Wyoming’s standout performer was No. 10 Joey Novak (197), who secured a 7-4 sudden victory over Thomas Dineen, improving his record to 16-3. Novak, who has not lost since returning from a mid-season injury, was one of the few bright spots for the Cowboys on the evening.
Riley Davis (174) also put up a strong fight against No. 8 Cade DeVos, ultimately losing by a 2-0 decision. Davis nearly forced overtime with a reversal attempt just before the final buzzer, showing resilience throughout the match.
Other Cowboys were close to earning victories or forcing overtime. No. 18 Cole Brooks (141) dropped a 4-2 decision to No. 15 Julian Tagg, No. 20 Jared Hill (157) lost 5-3 to No. 18 Cole Siebrecht, and Sam Mitchell (HWT) fell 7-4 to No. 24 Luke Rasmussen. All three were just one takedown away from either winning or extending their matches into extra time.
South Dakota State earned bonus points in three bouts, with the other two wins coming by decision. The Cowboys were not able to overcome the Jackrabbits’ early momentum, and despite several strong individual performances, the team was unable to close the gap.
Next, Wyoming will return home for a matchup with No. 21 West Virginia on February 8 at 6 p.m. at the UniWyo Sports Complex, where they will look to bounce back from this tough road loss.
No. 11 South Dakota State 31 | Wyoming 3
157: No. 18 Cole Siebrecht (South Dakota State) decision No. 20 Jared Hill (Wyoming), 5-3
165: No. 9 Drake Rhodes (South Dakota State) technical fall Cooper Voorhees (Wyoming), 19-3
174: No. 8 Cade DeVos (South Dakota State) decision Riley Davis (Wyoming), 2-0
184: No. 5 Bennett Berge (South Dakota State) decision No. 33 Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming), 9-2
197: No. 10 Joey Novak (Wyoming) sudden victory Thomas Dineen (South Dakota State), 7-4
HWT: No. 24 Luke Rasmussen (South Dakota State) decision Sam Mitchell (Wyoming), 7-4
125: No. 14 Tanner Jordan (South Dakota State) major decision Garrett Ricks (Wyoming), 12-3
133: No. 25 Derrick Cardinal (South Dakota State) major decision Stockton O’Brien (Wyoming), 15-3
141: No. 15 Julian Tagg (South Dakota State) decision No. 18 Cole Brooks (Wyoming), 4-2
149: Avery Allen (South Dakota State) decision Antonio Avila (Wyoming), 5-1
