ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech’s wrestling team keeps blazing new trails on the mats.
The Trailblazers – both men’s and women’s teams – finished second at the West Coast Conference Championships and qualified a program-record 23 wrestlers for this weekend’s National Collegiate Wrestling Tournament.
“Their performances were nothing short of historic,” Utah Tech head coach Corey Anderson said in an email to St. George News.
Qualifying 23 wrestlers for nationals, Anderson went on to say, “… demonstrates unparalleled depth and skill.”
On the women’s side, Utah Tech put up a valiant fight but in the end could not beat defending national champion Ottawa (Arizona) University.
“It was a thrilling competition that saw us narrowly miss out on top honors,” Anderson said.
Winning WCC individual conference titles and qualifying for nationals from Utah Tech were Lauren Mills, the No. 1-ranked female wrestler in the nation at 123 pounds; Kali Westover at 130 pounds; and Tayleigh Robertson at 170 pounds.
Utah Tech’s Carly Neville placed second in the 123-pound class and ranks third in the nation at that weight.
Abbey French (143 pounds) and Ashley Lavarius (155 pounds) each finished third for the Trailblazers. Anderson noted that key contributions to the team effort came from Alexa Camacho (4th) and Kendra Juarez (6th).
On the men’s side at the WCC finals, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 1-2, the Trailblazers also finished as runner-up, coming up just short against five-time defending conference champion and tournament host UNLV.
In a standout performance at 165 pounds, Anderson said, Utah Tech’s Nicolas Guynn earned his second conference title and was honored as the Outstanding Wrestler at the meet for achieving the most falls in the least amount of time.
In one of the toughest matches of the meet, Anderson said, Trailblazers Landon Cabral and Cael Houston placed first and second, respectively, at 174 pounds.
“It was a display of skill and determination that captivated the audience,” Anderson said.
Cesar Ubico (197 pounds) and Micah Vuki (heavyweight) both won their classes for Utah Tech. Austin Mattson (2nd, 184 pounds) and Byron Anderson (3rd, 235 pounds) contributed to the Trailblazers team effort.
Anderson added that other notable finishes came from Trailblazers Wyatt Coulam (4th, 149 pounds), TJ Rex (5th, 157 pounds), Kason Longmore (5th, 197 pounds) and two sixth-place finishes by Tyrese McKneeley (235 pounds) and Ruben Zarate (heavyweight).
All of the above-named wrestlers qualified for nationals. So too did Utah Tech grapplers Dillon Conner (141 pounds), Q Boyd (157 pounds) and Victor Boston (165 pounds).
“They all earned coveted wildcard bids to nationals,” Anderson said, “showcasing their exceptional skills and determination.”
Anderson was awarded WCC Coach of the Year after the conference tournament. He praised his assistants Jeff Guynn, Kerry Anderson and David Howell.
“Utah Tech wrestling is poised for national acclaim,” Anderson said. “We’re ready to challenge the country’s best and continue our historic journey.
The National Collegiate Wrestling Tournament takes place March 14-16 in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana.
Photo Gallery
A Utah Tech wrestler at the West Coast Conference tournament, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 2, 2024 | Photo courtesy Ann Guynn for the St. George News
Members of the 2nd-place Utah Tech men's wrestling team at the WCC tournament, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 2, 2024 | Photo courtesy Ann Guynn for the St. George News
A Utah Tech wrestler at the West Coast Conference tournament, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 2, 2024 | Photo courtesy Ann Guynn for the St. George News
Members of the 2nd-place Utah Tech women's wrestling team at the WCC tournament, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 2, 2024 | Photo courtesy Ann Guynn for the St. George News
A Utah Tech wrestler at the West Coast Conference tournament, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 2, 2024 | Photo courtesy Ann Guynn for the St. George News
A Utah Tech wrestler at the West Coast Conference tournament, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 2, 2024 | Photo courtesy Ann Guynn for the St. George News
A Utah Tech wrestler at the West Coast Conference tournament, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 2, 2024 | Photo courtesy Ann Guynn for the St. George News
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