The 141-pound Poke outworked UVU's Avery Garner at 141 pounds in an 8-4 decision. Garner was rated 33rd in the latest NCAA Coaches Panel Rankings, released Feb. 13. Mendenhall, along with seven other Cowboys, claimed victory to push UW (5-6 overall, 3-1 Western Wrestling Conference) to its fourth-straight win to stay alive in the race for the WWC dual title. The contest wrapped up the home dual slate for Wyoming.
"Overall it was a dominating team score, but I really felt like we had several guys who were too conservative," UW head coach Mark Branch said. "We had a couple matches where we won but we went scoreless in the first period, so those are not great things to see right now. But Cole Mendenhall was an example of just the opposite. He didn't stand around and wait for the kid to make a mistake or take him down. He went out there and got the shot."
UW had decision wins from juniors Shane Woods (197), Brandon Richardson (149), Andy McCulley (157) and redshirt freshman Benjamin Stroh at 184. The Pokes got bonus points thanks to a pin from sophomore heavyweight Tanner Harms, a forfeit win for junior Tyler Cox (125), and a technical fall from junior Dakota Friesth at 165.
"Tanner looked good. We've been emphasizing blowing through our shots and he did that," Branch said. "I liked what I out of Dakota Friesth, too. He showed a little attitude at the end."
UW began the night by honoring the lone senior on its roster, 141-pound Kyle Komata. He was recognized before the first match for his contributions to the program over the past four seasons.
The Cowboys will wrestle their final dual contest of the regular season Friday on the road versus North Dakota State. Matches will begin at 6 p.m. MT from the Bison Sports Arena.
Results:
197 pounds: #NR/NR/24 Shane Woods dec. Derek Thomas (UVU), 4-1 / Wyoming 3, Utah Valley 0
285: Tanner Harms fall (1:04) Richard Larsen (UVU) / Wyoming 9, Utah Valley 0
125: #8/8/10 Tyler Cox wins by forfeit / Wyoming 15, Utah Valley 0
133: Chasen Tolbert (UVU) dec. Gunnar Woodburn, 7-1 / Wyoming 15, Utah Valley 3
141: Cole Mendenhall dec. Avery Garner (UVU), 8-4 / Wyoming 18, Utah Valley 3
149: Brandon Richardson dec. Trevor Willson (UVU), 2-0 / Wyoming 21, Utah Valley 3
157: #NR/19/24 Andy McCulley dec. Chase Cuthbertson (UVU), 2-0 / Wyoming 24, Utah Valley 3
165: #NR/NR/18 Dakota Friesth tech. fall (6:51) Logan Addis (UVU), 19-3 / Wyoming 29, Utah Valley 3
174: Monte Schmalhaus (UVU) dec. Brent Havlik, 4-0 / Wyoming 29, Utah Valley 6
184: #18/14/17 Benjamin Stroh dec. Ethan Smith (UVU), 4-0 / Wyoming 32, Utah Valley 6
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