Wrestlers Lose to Wyoming in Final Dual of Season
It wasn't exactly what head coach Jack Maughan had in mind for UNC's final dual of the season. The Bears dropped a 27-18 decision to Wyoming Wednesday at Butler-Hancock Hall. UNC's record dropped to 5-6-1, while Wyoming improved its mark to 7-5.
It started out promising for the Bears as senior Jason Romero opened action with a pin of Wyoming's John Faczak. Romero won his fifth straight match to improve to 8-3. The Bears forfeited the 133-pound weight class and then the Cowboys' Thad Trujillo won a 7-3 decision over Simon Hoepfner to give the 'Pokes a 9-6 lead. Senior Marshall Hahn continued his strong season with a 4-2 win over Mark Hamrick at 149 pounds. Hahn won the 84th match of his UNC career, which is good for ninth on the all-time list. Sophomore Brody Olson lost a tough 3-2 decision at 157 pounds and the Bears went into the intermission down 12-9.
Following the break, UNC junior Brian Hufford posted a 6-1 win over Justin Christenson at 165 pounds to tie the team score at 12-12 and it appeared as if the crowd was in for a good finish. But any hopes the Bears had evaporated when Wyoming's Steven Schenk pinned Shane Grenko at 174 pounds and Kevin Kesner defeated the Bears' Ryan Guillaume at 184 pounds to build the UW lead to 21-12. UNC freshman Jason McMillan was then pinned at 197 pounds and Wyoming forfeited the heavyweight division to make the final score 27-18.
UNC returns to action Sunday, February 25 when it travels to Mankato, Minn. for the North Central Conference championships.
