Wrestling Pushes Past Air Force, 27-9

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (2/14/25) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team wasn’t at its sharpest Friday night at Air Force. The Cowboys started slowly but still manufactured a 27-9 victory inside Clune Arena.

“We definitely started sluggish,” head coach Mark Branch said. “It wasn’t a good feeling, the first half of the dual. Luckily, the upper weights turned it on starting with Eddie. Eddie and Joey both had dominating performances. But it was a little frustrating tonight. The team score may not show it, but I thought they had a little more effort at several weights.”

The victory improves the Pokes to 11-6 on the season and 5-3 in Big 12 action. The loss drops the Falcons to 5-7 overall and 0-7 in league.

As Branch alluded to, the dual didn’t start particularly well for Wyoming. Garrett Ricks (125) claimed a sudden victory, 7-4, over Bubba Wright but Air Force took the next two bouts for a 6-3 lead.

No. 19 Gabe Willochell (149) and No. 17 Jared Hill (157) vaulted Wyoming back in front. Willochell earned a 17-2 technical fall of Alec Viduya and Hill won via decision, 5-4, over EJ Beloncik, which made the team score, 11-6, in favor of the visitors.

The Falcons drew closer with a win at 165, however, that would be their last victory of the evening. The last four bouts would feature a pair of Wyoming decisions and two bonus-point wins.

Riley Davis (174) scored a late go-ahead takedown to defeat Jack Ganos via decision, 3-1. Eddie Neitenbach (184) made quick work of Gage Musser, toppling him by technical fall, 18-3.

No. 9 Joey Novak (197) duplicated Neitenbach’s showing, downing Owen Heiser via technical fall, 16-1. Sam Mitchell (HWT) capped the night with a 2-1 decision win over Antonio Ramos.

Wyoming is back in action Sunday. The Cowboys host Northern Colorado on Senior Day at 2 p.m. inside the UniWyo Sports Complex.

Wyoming 27 | Air Force 9

125: Garrett Ricks (Wyoming) sudden victory Bubba Wright (Air Force), 7-4

133: Gavin Caprella (Air Force) decision Stockton O’Brien (Wyoming), 5-4

141: Carter Nogle (Air Force) decision No. 18 Cole Brooks (Wyoming), 6-3

149: No. 19 Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) technical fall Alec Viduya (Air Force), 17-2

157: No. 17 Jared Hill (Wyoming) decision EJ Beloncik (Air Force), 5-4

165: Logan Fowler (Air Force) decision Cooper Voorhees (Wyoming), 14-9

174: Riley Davis (Wyoming) decision Jack Ganos (Air Force), 3-1

184: No. 25 Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) technical fall Gage Musser (Air Force), 18-3

197: No. 9 Joey Novak (Wyoming) technical fall Owen Heiser (Air Force), 16-1

HWT: Sam Mitchell (Wyoming) decision Antonio Ramos (Air Force), 2-1