Wrestling Upsets No. 20 West Virginia, 19-18

LARAMIE, Wyoming (2/8/25) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team earned an upset Saturday night inside the UniWyo Sports Complex. The Pokes defeated No. 20 West Virginia, 19-18, for their first win over a ranked foe since 2021.

“We had guts tonight,” head coach Mark Branch said. “There was a lot not to like and yet we’re grateful that we got a good win over a ranked team.”

No. 18 Cole Brooks (141) was the difference maker Saturday. He was coming off illness and yet pinned Jordan Titus in the first period, which swung the momentum of the dual – after West Virginia took the first two bouts – and the bonus points ended up being huge.

“Cole Brooks went out there against a really good kid, ignited the crowd and won the dual for us,” Branch said. “When you look at how it ended, it was the difference maker. I love that.”

That prompted No. 19 Gabe Willochell (149) to a 15-3 major decision of Sam Hillegas. No. 20 Jared Hill (157) followed that up with an 8-5 sudden victory over Caleb Dowling, and that put Wyoming ahead, 13-7.   

The Mountaineers vaulted back ahead, however. Their highest-ranked wrestler and 174-pounder won via technical fall and decision, respectively, to make it 15-13 visitors.

No. 32 Eddie Neitenbach (184) see-sawed the dual back in favor of the home team with an upset. He defeated No. 16 Dennis Robin via decision, 12-7.

No. 10 Joey Novak (197) extended the lead, albeit with a sudden victory. He downed Ian Bush, 9-6, which gave Wyoming some needed breathing room going into the last bout.

The Cowboys improve to 10-6 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12, while West Virginia falls to 9-7 overall and 3-6 in league. Wyoming also moves to 5-0 at home.

“(The crowd) was awesome,” head coach Mark Branch said. “We’ve always had great crowds. Tonight was the best one we had this year. I love the support we get. It makes you grateful for what you have at home.”

The Pokes are back in action Friday. They travel to Air Force before wrapping up their dual schedule at home against Northern Colorado (Feb. 16).  

Wyoming 19 | No. 20 West Virginia 18

125: No. 9 Jett Strickenberger (West Virginia) major decision Garrett Ricks (Wyoming), 11-3

133: Tommy Maddux (West Virginia) decision Stockton O’Brien (Wyoming), 11-8

141: No. 18 Cole Brooks (Wyoming) fall Jordan Titus (West Virginia), 2:27

149: No. 19 Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) major decision Sam Hillegas (West Virginia), 15-3

157: No. 20 Jared Hill (Wyoming) sudden victory Caleb Dowling (West Virginia), 8-5

165: No. 3 Peyton Hall (West Virginia) technical fall Cooper Voorhees (Wyoming), 18-3

174: No. 19 Brody Conley (West Virginia) decision Riley Davis (Wyoming), 4-2

184: No. 32 Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) decision No. 16 Dennis Robin (West Virginia), 12-7

197: No. 10 Joey Novak (Wyoming) sudden victory Ian Bush (West Virginia), 9-6

HWT: Rune Lawrence (West Virginia) decision Sam Mitchell (Wyoming), 4-1