Sports briefs

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Avalon Named WWC Wrestler of the Week-

Utah Valley University sophomore heavyweight wrestler Diego Avalon (Corpus Christi, Texas/Mary Carroll HS) has been named the Western Wrestling Conference’s Wrestler of the Week as announced by league officials.

Avalon led UVU to its 10th consecutive win on the season and also a 3-0 start in Western Wrestling Conference action Saturday night at North Dakota State. Avalon, normally a 184 lb. competitor, stepped up to wrestle at heavyweight for the Wolverines. With the dual score notched at 15-15, Avalon was able to beat the Bison’s Tyler Hemmesch, 3-2, to give Utah Valley the 18-15 victory.

UVU has been wrestling without a “real” heavyweight grappler this season, and Avalon has stepped up for the Wolverines on a number of occasions — but none bigger than his last victory. The undersized Avalon, who gave up at least 80 lbs. in the match, scored first on an unsportsmanlike call against Hemmesch in the first. After an escape tied it up in the second, Avalon scored on a takedown to take a 3-1 lead. Hemmesch picked up another escape in the second period putting the score at 3-2. The UVU sophomore then kept Hemmesch at bay, winning his match and the dual in dramatic fashion. Utah Valley is now 10-2 overall and (3-0 WWC). Avalon’s season record is now 10-12 (3-3 duals) with all of his dual matchups coming at heavyweight.

Holmes Finishes in 13th in St. George-

Freshman Jeff Holmes shot a 2-over 74 to finish in 13th place at the Fifth Annual Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational on Tuesday. Holmes started the day in 21st after a 75 in Monday’s opening round.

Utah Valley finished with a total team score of 638 (316-322) with Nick Nelson the next highest finisher for the Wolverines.

San Jose State took home the team title by six shots over Washington State. Cal State Northridge golfer Erik Jarvey won medalist honors with by winning a playoff over WSU’s Nick Ellis.

Women’s Golf Finally Hits the Course After Delays-

The Utah Valley women’s golf team finally hit the course on Tuesday at the rain shortened Lady Braveheart Classic. After Monday’s opening round was cancelled, Abbie Lei Archibald led the way for the Wolverines with a 37th place finish.

Archibald shot an 11-over 83 while Brittany Butler was two shots behind, finishing in a tie for 53rd.

Nova Southeastern took home the title after shooting an 18-hole total of 305 – seven strokes better than Eastern Michigan (312) in second place and 11 strokes ahead of the host UC Riverside (316).

Cal Baptist’s Malin Thorberg took home individual honors shooting a one-over par 73. Santa Clara’s Miki Ueoka was one stroke behind Thorberg in second place.