Jacks start quick but fall to Utah Valley University 35-14

Friday, February 6

Frost Arena

7 p.m.

South Dakota State University

Utah Valley

2/6/2009 1:00:00 AM | Wrestling

By: SDSU Sports Info

The South Dakota State wrestling team won two of their first three matches but dropped their next six, as the Jackrabbits fell 35-14 to Utah Valley University Friday night at Frost Arena in Western Wrestling Conference action.

The Wolverines drew first blood notching a major decision at 184 pounds to start the dual, but the Jacks would go on to score two straight victories at 197 pounds and at heavyweight.

No. 16 rated Tyler Sorenson once again dominated his opponent at 197 pounds, winning by technical fall at 5:33. Sorenson would score four takedowns, three near-falls and an escape in a match that he never trailed. Sorenson extends his perfect record to 10-0, with all his victories coming in duals.

Jason Stripling won his match at heavyweight by forfeit to extend the lead to 11-4.

Utah Valley would then take control of the match, rattling off 31-unanswered points in six straight matches, making the score 35-11. The Wolverines won three matches by fall, one my major decision, one by decision and one by forfeit during the run.

In the final match, freshman Scott Elliot recorded his 24th victory of the season, as he went on to beat Brad Darrington 5-1. After a stalemate in the first period, the 174 pounder scored two takedowns and received a point for riding time while only giving up an escape, ending the scoring at 35-14. Elliott is now 24-5 on the season and improves to 9-2 in duals.

The loss drops the Jacks to 7-9-1 overall and 0-4 in the Western Wrestling Conference. Utah Valley, winners of eight straight, improve to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the WWC.

The Jacks return to the mat Friday when they travel to Portland, Ore. to take on Pacific and Portland State with the matches beginning at 7 p.m. PT.

Match by Match:

184: Casen Eldredge (UVU) maj. dec. Zach Blindert, 10-2
197: Tyler Sorenson (SDSU) tech. fall Adam Fager, 18-2 (5:33)
HWT: Jason Stripling (SDSU) won by forfeit
125: Ben Kjar (UVU) def. Alan Marvin by fall, 2:25
133: Flint Ray (UVU) won by forfeit
141: Jeffery Newby (UVU) dec. Dustin Walraven, 5-2
149: Justin Morrill (UVU) major dec. Nick Flynn, 12-1
157: Jamison Moss (UVU) def Marc Wermersen by fall, 2:21
165: Jeb Clark (UVU) def. Weston Ginther by fall, 4:15
174: Scott Elliott (SDSU) dec. Brad Darrington, 5-1