Wrestlers Win Inaugural WWC Dual Over Utah Valley State
Jan. 13, 2007
OREM, Utah - The University of Northern Colorado wrestling team came home with its inaugural Western Wrestling Conference win on Saturday, as the Bears pounded Utah Valley State 30-13.
Northern Colorado (3-4, 1-0 WWC) built a strong lead in the early going, with senior 157-pounder Luke Salazar getting things started with a 12-3 major decision win over UVSC's Clayton Wolf. Salazar sealed the major decision in third period of the match when he scored a reversal and takedown.
Sophomore 165-pounder Devan Lewis put the Bears up 8-0 with a 13-2 major decision over UVSC's Dustin Olsen. Lewis built a 7-1 lead at the end of the second period with a takedown, then wrapped up the win with a takedown and near fall in the third period.
Shawn Vincent extended Northern Colorado's lead to 12-4 with a 16-5 major decision over UVSC's Brock Jardine in the 184-pound bout. Vincent began his domination in the first period, building up a 10-2 lead. He assured the win with an escape and a takedown in the third period.
Junior heavyweight Reece Hopkin, ranked No. 17, and redshirt freshman 125-pounder Tony Mustari didn't have a very rough night, as they both won via forfeit. The wins gave Northern Colorado 12 more points and a 24-7 lead.
In the 133-pound match, Blayze Bahe clinched the dual for the Bears with his pin of UVSC's Alex Smith 2:16 into the match. Bahe was leading 5-0 in the match with a takedown and near fall to his credit before the fall.
The Bears will return home to take on WWC foe Northern Iowa, who received votes in the latest USA Today/InterMat/NWCA poll. The dual is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.
