They’re headed in the right direction.
Adam Cichoski | Sports Writer
The Utah Valley Wolverine Wrestling Team has had a tough season, wrestling against three ranked opponents #18 Wyoming, #20 Oregon State and #25 Stanford, losing against all three. This isn’t stopping the determination and good spirits of the team moving forward.
“There were some matches I feel like we should have won,” said head coach Greg Williams when asked how he felt about his team’s performance, but he maintains a positive look on his team. “Our guys are working hard, I feel like we’re in good shape.”
When asked about all the ranked opponents the team has competed against, and how he felt it effected they as a wholw, Coach Williams stated, “Our job… here at UVU, is to get our program ready for post season… Several matches were very close. If we can get better and start winning those matches then we’re gonna be a ranked team… I wouldn’t change it and that’s who we want to wrestle.”
Williams is looking forward to the post season and he’s doing what he can to prepare his team for that time. He sees wrestling these ranked teams as a way to teach his team how to play against the elite. You learn how to be the best by competing against the best.
“We don’t have to be great until February.” Junior, Ross Taylor said when asked how he felt the team handled playing these though opponents. “We’re learning, we’ll take what we learn from these matches and apply them in the room. Come February and regionals we’ll be looking good.”
The ending scores for the wrestling team have been deceiving against these top teams. While the Utah Valley Wrestling has been losing the meets, the matches are much closer than the ending score shows. One highlight from the barrage of ranked opponents was Junior Chasen Tolbert’s victory over his Stanford opponent, Evan Silver. It was an exciting match for Chasen and the team; going into the match Silver was ranked the #15 wrestler in the country.
I had a chance to talk to Chasen after the meet against Stanford, “It’s only going to go up from here, I don’t see anything slowing me down.” Tolbert answered when asked what his outlook on the rest of the season. When we asked him about how he felt his team was doing, he had high praise, “Everyone has the right work ethic and everyone is headed in the right direction.”
In the middle of ranked opponents the wrestling team managed a big win against in-division opponent, Air Force. The win kept the Wolverines on top of them in the division. With losses against North Dakota State and South Dakota State, it’s unlikely they’ll move up any higher. The team is showing its improvement though, as the season progresses.
The team has a great attitude, they’re moving forward, and they’re taking their losses and learning from them and becoming better wrestlers. Keep an eye out for your Utah Valley Wolverine Wrestling Team, because come post season there could be a lot to cheer for.
