Nov. 16, 2003: The Standard Examiner

Sports Briefs: Utah Valley State Brings Sport Back to Utah

OREM — College wrestling returned to Utah when Utah Valley State made its NCAA debut Thursday by beating North Idaho College 23-18.

No state school had a wrestling program since Brigham Young dropped the sport three years ago until the Wolverines hit the mat Thursday night.

"I hope that people look at this and see that we started out with some success," Utah Valley State coach Cody Sanderson said. "I hope they want to be involved with it. I hope the coaches around the state are excited about having a college program, and that they have a place now to send their wrestlers."

Mitch Morgan opened the new era for the Wolverines by pinning Jaime Garcia in 2:48 into the first period at 149 pounds. Morgan had the only pin of the night for Utah Valley State. Erkin Tadzhimetov (133) won by technical fall and Wayne Watts and Tanner Cowan both won major decisions.