Nov. 21, 2004: Deseret Morning News

UVSC Drops Three Matches
by Drew Daniels
For the Deseret Morning News

OREM — The Utah Valley State College wrestling team came up against some major competition Saturday as it hosted national powerhouse Iowa State, the No. 5 team in the nation, as well as Boise State and Adams State in the Wolverine Duals at the Activity Center.

The Wolverines struggled throughout the day and ended up dropping all three of their matches. Adams State defeated UVSC 22-19 in its first match of the day. Boise State handed the Wolverines a 30-12 loss before Iowa State dropped them 24-9.

"Against Iowa State, we fought, but we just got beat by a better team," said coach Cody Sanderson. "That is a tough team. If Oklahoma State wasn't so stacked this year, I would say they're the number one team in the country."

Iowa State looked like the top-ranked team that it is as the Cyclones dominated the Wolverines in all but two matches. UVSC's two wins were by Matt Ripplinger (ISU forfeit) and Talon Vickers who won his second match of the day in a tough battle with ISU's Ben Hanisch, 5- 3.

"Talon Vickers in the last few months has really made a lot of improvement," said Sanderson. "He's had some struggles personally, but he came back and he's doing a great job."

Coach Sanderson's brother, Cael, was in attendance as a new assistant coach for ISU. Cael won an Olympic Gold Medal in the Athens Olympics over the summer.

"It was fun," said Cael. "I was looking forward to watching Cody and see how he's doing as a coach."

UVSC's best opportunity for a win was against the Division II, Adams State, in its first match of the day, but the Wolverines came out flat. "We wrestled terrible," said Sanderson. "It was the worst performance I've seen here as a coach. I don't know what happened. I'm going to take the videotape and throw it in the garbage." Despite the team loss against Adams State, Ivan Bigney (184), Darren Cooper 197), Dugan Wightman (Heavyweight), and Talon Vickers (125) all came away winners in their weight classes.

"The guys came back against Boise State and wrestled well," said Sanderson. "I was really happy."

Against Boise State, Darren Harris, Clayton Wolf, and Tanner Cowan all came away with wins in the 174, 141, and 157 pound weight classes, respectively.