WVU Slows Down Mustangs
By Steve Stone
WVU Sports Information Office
January 3, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University wrestling team finished their road trip in California with a sweep by defeating Cal Poly in a non-conference dual meet, 24-12, on Thursday, January 3, in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
The Mountaineers (3-1) won seven of their 10 bouts against the Mustangs(2-3), taking the final four matches for their second straight win.
Freshman Tyler Oravec (133) filled in admirably and defeated No. 17 ranked Filip Novachkov of the Mustangs in a hard-fought 6-4 decision, giving Oravec a 2-1 start to the season.
“Sometimes I think ignorance is bliss,” says head coach Craig Turnbull on Oravec’s performance. “I don’t think Tyler had any idea who he was wrestling, and he went in and wrestled very well. He put a great match together and was a pleasant surprise.”
Keying the consecutive victory streak in the final four matches was junior Chance Litton (174). Litton scored the Mountaineers’ only pin fall and defeated Evan Barbre in 2:50, giving WVU a decisive 15-12 lead in the match. Kurt Brenner (184) followed with an impressive 10-3 decision over Yuri Kalika.
Scoring his team-leading eighth victory of the season was two-time NCAA qualifier Jared Villers (197), winning over Cal Poly’s Arturo Basulto in an 8-1 decision. Villers is now 8-2 on the season, including a 3-0 record in dual meets.
Finishing the meet was heavyweight Dustin Rogers, who followed up a tough loss against Cal State Fullerton with an 11-4 decision over Jim Powers, giving him his first dual meet victory of the season.
In the 125-pound bout, Kyle Turnbull earned his second straight victory on the road swing by defeating Micah Ferguson in a 3-1 decision in overtime. David Jauregui (149) also won a key match in overtime by edging Eric Maldanado in a 5-4 decision.
Two-time All-American Brandon Rader (141) lost by injury default against No. 3-ranked Chad Mendes after suffering an apparent knee injury at the end of the first period. Mendes improved to 15-0 on the season for the Mustangs.
Turnbull believes the west-coast road trip was worthwhile as his squad showcased their talent against the top competition in California.
“I thought we wrestled well and the trip was very beneficial. We really won a lot of hard-fought matches, so this trip was definitely good for us,” says Turnbull.
The Mountaineers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 12-13, as they compete in the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The prestigious invitational includes 16 of the top programs in the country, including Iowa, Iowa State, Missouri and Michigan.
WVU 24 Cal Poly 12
Hwt (Exhibition) – Lou Thomas (WV) dec Ryan Dunn (CP) 5-1
125 –Kyle Turnbull (WV) dec Micah Ferguson (CP) 3-1
133 – Tyler Oravec (WV) dec #17 Filip Novachkov (CP) 6-4
141 – #3 Chad Mendes (CP) inj def Brandon Rader (WV)
149 –David Jauregui (WV) dec Eric Maldanado (CP) 5-4
157 – #10 Chase Pami (CP) #16 dec Zac Fryling (WV) 5-3
165 –Ryan Williams (CP) dec Donnie Jones (WV) 3-2
174 – Chance Litton (WV) fall Evan Barbre (CP) 2:50
184 –Kurt Brenner (WV) dec Yuri Kalika (CP) 10-3
197 – #14 Jared Villers (WV) dec Arturo Basulto (CP) 8-1
Hwt – #8 Dustin Rogers (WV) dec Jim Powers (CP) 11-4
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