Zach Perry

The Jackrabbit wrestling team waits for its first conference victory; the Wolverines of Utah Valley University defeated SDSU 35-14 on Feb. 6 in Frost Arena.

The Wolverines (8-2, 2-0) jumped on the board first to take a 4-0 lead, as Casen Eldredge won a major decision over Zach Blindert 10-2 in the 184-pound class.

Things started looking better for the Jacks (7-9-1, 0-4) after they sent No. 16-rated Tyler Sorenson to the mat against Adam Fager in the 197-pound class. Sorenson advanced his win streak with a technical fall win at 5:33.

The match was never close as Sorenson recorded two takedowns and two near-falls in the first period to lead 10-1. The score was 18-2 by the time Sorenson ended the match with the pin. Sorenson’s record now stands at a perfect 10-0 on the season, and his win gave the Jackrabbits a 5-4 lead.

The lead was soon extended to 11-4 after the Wolverines would forfeit the match in the heavyweight class to Jason Stripling.

The Wolverines responded in the next match when Ben Kjar defeated Alan Marvin by fall at 2:25 in the 125 pound weight class.

The Jacks would be forced to forfeit the following match in the 133 pound class, and Utah Valley then won the next four matches – two by fall and one each by decision and major decision – to take a 35-11 lead, ensuring that the Wolverines would extend their winning streak to eight.

SDSU’s Scott Elliott would finish the night on a high note for the Jacks with a 5-1 decision over Brad Darrington in the 174-pound class. Elliot is now 9-2 in duals and improved to 24-5 on the season.

The Jacks have now dropped their first four Western Wrestling Conference duals of the season and six of their last seven duals overall. SDSU will not face another WWC opponent until North Dakota State comes to Brookings Feb. 20.

Next up for the Jacks is a road trip to Portland, Oregon; they will take on the Boxers of Pacific (Ore.) and the Vikings of Portland State (Ore.) on Feb. 13. in two non-conference matches.

Pacific (1-11) has struggled this season and is 0-4 at home. The Boxers’ lone win on the season was a 30-24 victory over Yakima Community College on Jan. 22. The match against Pacific will start at 3 p.m.

The Portland State Vikings (6-8) had won three of four duals before losing 31-6 to WWC member Wyoming on Feb. 6. SDSU will square off with Portland State at 9 p.m.