Wrestling Rallies for 19-17 Victory at Oregon State

CORVALLIS, Oregon (1/19/25) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team has made a recent habit of rallying for dual wins. The Pokes did it a couple times at the NWCA Dual Meet National Championships a week ago and did it again Sunday afternoon at Oregon State.

The Cowboys won three of the final five bouts against the Beavers with No. 11 Joey Novak (197) earning the most important one. He logged a pin, and the crucial bonus points helped secure the 19-17 dual victory.

“Joey’s pin was the difference,” head coach Mark Branch said. “There’s certainly some negatives and some positives from this one. It was a good team victory.”

The win pushes Wyoming to 6-5 on the season. Oregon State falls to 1-5. The victory also snapped the Beavers’ three-match win streak in the series.

Novak’s third-period pin of Vaun Halstead vaulted Wyoming ahead 19-14. The late dual push was also helped by Cooper Voorhees (165) and Eddie Neitenbach (184) who registered big wins.

Voorhees defeated Murphy Menke via decision, 8-3. Neitenbach recorded a major decision win over TJ McDonnell, 15-5.

“Hats off to Eddie,” Branch said. “This is the first time he’s been back since early December and his shape is way off and to be able to secure a bonus-point win speaks to his drive, competitiveness and willpower.”

Oregon State began the dual with a pair of wins. No. 9 Maximo Renteria defeated Garrett Ricks (125), 10-3, however, Renteria was unsportsmanlike after the win and cost his squad a team point. Damion Elliott downed Stockton O’Brien (133) via major decision, 11-3.

Cole Brooks (141) got Wyoming on the board. He upset No. 28 Nash Singleton by decision, 10-4.

“Cole’s win was huge because he’s been trying to find some consistency, and we know what he’s capable of,” Branch said. “That’s huge for him. He’s just so talented and when he starts believing in himself, look out.”

No. 20 Gabe Willochell (149) kept things interesting with a come-from-behind, 11-10, decision win over No. 23 Ethan Stiles. Willochell trailed 9-2 in the first period but chipped away and won with a ride out.

Oregon State’s CJ Hamblin upset No. 17 Jared Hill (157) via major decision, 11-3. Sean Harman defeated Ethan Ducca (174) by major decision, 10-2, and No. 20 Brett Mower (HWT) beat Sam Mitchell via decision, 4-3, to round out the dual’s scoring.

Wyoming is finally back home this upcoming weekend. The Pokes host Utah Valley on Friday at 6 p.m. and Cal Baptist on Saturday at 6 p.m. Both matches are inside the UniWyo Sports Complex.

Wyoming 19 | Oregon State 17

125: No. 9 Maixmo Renteria (Oregon State) decision Garrett Ricks (Wyoming), 10-3

133: Damion Elliott (Oregon State) major decision Stockton O’Brien (Wyoming), 11-3

141: Cole Brooks (Wyoming) decision No. 28 Nash Singelton (Oregon State), 10-4

149: No. 20 Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) decision No. 23 Ethan Stiles (Oregon State), 11-10

157: CJ Hamblin (Oregon State) major decision No. 17 Jared Hill (Wyoming), 11-3

165: Cooper Voorhees (Wyoming) decision Murphy Menke (Oregon State), 8-3

174: Sean Harman (Oregon State) major decision Ethan Ducca (Wyoming), 10-2

184: Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) major decision TJ McDonnell (Oregon State), 15-5

197: No. 11 Joey Novak (Wyoming) fall Vaun Halstead (Oregon State), 5:36

HWT: No. 20 Brett Mower (Oregon State) decision Sam Mitchell (Wyoming), 4-3