Jan. 4, 2008: Deseret Morning News

Full-Strength Wolverines Dominate Dual
by Jason Adkins

OREM — In past years, the Utah Valley State wrestling team would have a difficult time winning dual meets because they would be missing a few wrestlers due to injuries and others redshirting.

There is a different feel this season with all weight classes being fielded competitively, and the new depth to the team is paying dividends as UVSC beat South Dakota State 39-4 in a Western Wrestling Conference dual meet Thursday night in the Wolverines' home opener for the season.

"We can stay after people and create some opportunities," said UVSC coach Greg Williams.

The quickest win for the Wolverines came when Ben Kjar — arguably one of UVSC's top two or three wrestlers — scored a pin 97 seconds into his 133-pound match with Alan Marvin. It wasn't close as Kjar scored a takedown and put Marvin in a near-fall position for nearly 30 seconds before finally nailing the pin.

"I was pushing just enough where he was pushing back," Kjar said. "He had to push back, and I was able to thrown him."

Sam Allen (149-pounds) and Casen Eldredge (184-pounds) scored UVSC's other pins of the meet.

Allen held an early advantage by scoring a takedown one minute in and had several chances for the pin. He ended up brutally slamming his opponent down a few times in an attempt to get the shoulders down. It finally worked with 25 seconds left in the first period as the pin was scored.

The real nail-biter for UVSC came down to Nate Kearsley's win at 157 pounds via injury default over Sean Flynn. Flynn held a 6-3 advantage before Kearsley came back with a takedown and two-point near-fall that hurt Flynn. Flynn held off for most of the third before finally throwing in the towel late in the third period.

"It was apparent throughout the whole meet that our guys were in better condition and had more heart," Kearsley said.

Mark Dennis (197-pounds), Marc Fenwick (174-pounds), Billy Green (heavyweight), Jeff Newby (141-pounds) and Gerhart Vuksinick (165-pounds) all won for UVSC as well. Fenwick held off a late challenge in his 10-8 victory as his opponent scored five points in the last 90 seconds.

The only Jackrabbits win came with Derek Pirner's (133 pounds) 10-2 decision over Logan Wilson.