Feb. 13, 2002

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

In dominating fashion, the University of Wyoming Cowboy wrestling team earned its first home dual win of the season, 37-4, over Division II Northern Colorado. The Pokes won eight of the nine matches wrestled against UNC (ranked No. 17 in DII), including two major decisions and one technical fall.

UW sophomore Kevin Kessner (14-10) began the mauling of the Bears with a 11-1 major decision victory over Cole Allison in the 184 pound weight class, giving Wyoming an early 4-0 team lead. UNC would tie the match at 4-4 after Jason McMillan, ranked No. 8 in Division II, won by a major decision over Cowboy freshman Malcolm Havens at 197.

Cowboy heavyweight Brad Steele had no problems in his match jumping all over Tom Clemen for the 14-3 major decision win giving UW the lead for good at 8-4. The win was Steele's team leading 25th (25-8) of the season.

At 125, freshman Reynold Candelaria recorded his first victory of the year, winning by technical fall over UNC's Luis Meza. Candelaria, from Laramie, Wyo., controlled the match scoring 14 points before Meza even got on the board. Candelaria recorded five near falls in the match, including four in the second period, on way to his 16-1 victory.

Wyoming built its lead to 19-4 after Northern Colorado forfeited its 133 pound match giving Cowboy senior Kelly McConville his 20th victory (20-9) of the season.

In the nights most heated match, Cowboy senior Mark Hamrick (19-10) won by disqualification over Ronnie Stafford in the 141 pound match. Stafford, who's ranked No. 7 in Division II, picked up an early warning for unsportsmanlike conduct just 12 seconds into the match. Hamrick immediately scored a takedown ten seconds later giving him an early 3-0 lead and never looked back. Leading 11-6 late in the third period Stafford was disqualified for his second unsportsmanlike conduct warning giving Hamrick the win and the Pokes a commanding 25-4 lead.

In one of the night's closest matches, Wyoming sophomore Levi Prevost (14-6) edged Brody Olson 4-2 in the 157 pound match. Prevost led 3-0 in the third before Olson, ranked No. 7 in DII, scored on an escape and a second warning for stalling by Prevost to pull the score to within one point at 3-2. Prevost would hold on and gain an extra point for a riding time advantage giving Wyoming a 31-4 lead.

Redshirt freshman Justin Salas would score nine unanswered points at 165 on way to his 10-3 victory over Jared Deaguero of UNC. During the match Salas (10-12) scored two near falls.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second period of the 174 pound match, Cowboy redshirt freshman E.K. Waldhaus (15-13) would score three straight points to take a 3-1 lead halfway through the third period in the nights final matchup. Hufford got within one point, 3-2, after he was given a point for a stalling warning against Waldhaus. It wasn't enough though as Waldhaus would hold on for the win and gain an additional point for riding time, winning 4-2 and giving the Pokes the 37-4 dual victory.

"We wrestled with more confidence then we did the other night against Northern Iowa," said UW head coach Steven Suder. "I didn't see a whole lot of difference between us and Missouri and Northern Iowa in our previous home duals other than the fact that the guys sitting across from us in those matches believed a little bit more than we did. We've been talking about believing we can win and tonight's victory definitely helps with our confidence and now we just need to keep that ball rolling."

The win over UNC improved Wyoming's season record to 5-10 heading into their final dual match of the season against Air Force at home on Feb. 27. The dual versus the Falcons will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the MultiPurpose Gym in Laramie. Wrestling in their final home matches of their careers against Air Force will be seniors Kelly McConville, from Osseo, Minn., and Mark Hamrick, from Wheatland, Wyo.

Complete Dual Results:

Wyoming 37, Northern Colorado 4
184- Kevin Kessner (UW) defeated Cole Allison (UNC), 11-1, major decision
197- Jason McMillan (UNC) defeated Malcolm Havens (UW), 10-1, major decision
HWT- Brad Steele (UW) defeated Tom Clemen (UNC), 14-3, major decision
125- Reynold Candelaria (UW) defeated Luis Meza (UNC), 16-1, technical fall
133- Kelly McConville (UW) won by forfeit
141- Mark Hamrick (UW) defeated Ronnie Stafford (UNC), by disqualification
149- Thad Trujillo (UW) defeated Joe Kingry (UNC), 8-5
157- Levi Prevost (UW) defeated Brody Olson (UNC), 4-2
165- Justin Salas (UW) defeated Jared Deaguero (UNC), 10-3
174- E.K. Waldhaus (UW) defeated Brian Hufford (UNC), 4-2