No. 19 WVU Wrestling Defeats No. 23 Wyoming 21-15 | Best Big 12 Start Since 2012

The West Virginia University wrestling team secured a 21-15 victory over Wyoming on Saturday at Hope Coliseum in Morgantown. This win marks the second consecutive victory for the Mountaineers against a ranked opponent.

Mountaineers Improve Big 12 Record

With this win, West Virginia’s overall record improves to 9-3. More significantly, the team now stands at 4-1 within the Big 12 Conference – their best start against conference opponents since joining the Big 12 in 2012.

Key Bouts Determine Outcome

The match was closely contested, with both teams splitting the first six bouts. West Virginia secured wins at 141, 157, and 174 pounds. The final outcome hinged on victories in the later weight classes.

Did You Know? This is only the second win in the series for the Mountaineers against Wyoming, and their first since 2020.

Individual Performances Shine

Redshirt senior Jordan Titus opened the day with a 10-4 decision win at 141 pounds. Later, No. 4 ranked Ty Watters dominated his opponent at 157 pounds, winning by technical fall with a score of 18-3. Freshman Michael Baldwin also contributed a key victory, defeating No. 28 Riley Davis 3-2 in his dual debut with a late takedown.

The Mountaineers also saw success from No. 15 Rune Lawrence (197 pounds) with a 9-4 decision, and No. 9 Jett Strickenberger (125 pounds) with a 12-4 major decision. However, Wyoming responded with wins of their own, including a major decision at 165 pounds and a decision at 184 pounds.

Andrick Secures Crucial Victory

The decisive match came at 133 pounds, where freshman No. 17 Gunner Andrick faced No. 28 Luke Willochell. After a back-and-forth contest, Andrick secured a 5-4 decision victory, aided by securing the riding time point.

Expert Insight: The Mountaineers’ ability to secure wins from both veteran wrestlers like Titus and Watters, alongside key contributions from freshmen like Baldwin and Andrick, demonstrates a promising blend of experience and emerging talent within the program.

West Virginia is scheduled to return to action on Friday, February 6, hosting Missouri at Hope Coliseum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the match?

The final score was West Virginia 21, Wyoming 15.

Which weight classes did West Virginia win?

West Virginia secured wins at 141, 157, 174, 197, 125, and 133 pounds.

Who won the match at 133 pounds?

No. 17 Gunner Andrick of West Virginia defeated No. 28 Luke Willochell of Wyoming by a score of 5-4.

What impact will this win have on the Mountaineers’ season moving forward?