BUIES CREEK, N.C. - The Utah Valley University wrestling team began its dual season with a split Saturday at the Fighting Camel Duals in Buies Creek, N.C. The Wolverines began the day with a 32-6 win over host Campbell but finished it with a 25-10 loss to Bloomsburg.

"We want to see the guys progressing from week to week and I felt like we progressed from last week," UVU head coach Greg Williams said. "I was real pleased with how several of the weight classes wrestled. There were some areas where we showed that we are still little young but we're headed in the right direction."

Against the host Camels, the Wolverines cruised to the victory as they won eight of the 10 matches and four of the eight by bonus points.

UVU took a 17-0 lead in the contest after Jade Rauser (125 pounds), Val Rauser (133), Avery Garner (141) and No. 18 Josh Wilson all picked up wins. Jade Rauser won his by major decision (12-2), Val Rauser by decision (3-0), Garner by major decision (10-0) and Wilson by medical forfeit.

Campbell then stopped the Wolverine run as 157-pounder Nick Rex topped Chase Cuthbertson, 9-6. Ethan Smith (165) and Monte Schmalhaus (174) responded for UVU as they both won their matches by decision. The Camels then picked up their other victory at 184-pounds as Taylor McGiffen eked by Derek Thomas, 3-2.

UVU 197-pounder David Prieto and heavyweight Adam Fager concluded the dual with wins for the Wolverines as Prieto won his bout by decision and Fager took his by fall.

In the loss to Bloomsburg, Jade Rauser started off the contest with his second win of the day, a 2-0 decision over Sean Boylan. The Huskies then took the next four bouts to take a 16-3 advantage. Two of those contests went into overtime, however, as both Garner and Wilson dropped their tight matches in the sudden victory period.

Smith and Schmalhaus responded for the Wolverines as Smith topped BU's Josh Veltre 5-4 and Schmalhaus beat Chris Smith 10-1.

With UVU trailing just 16-10, the Huskies won the final three bouts to take the dual.

"Bloomsburg is a very talented team who is experienced," added Williams. "Overall I felt like we wrestled well. I would've like to have won a couple of those close matches but I wasn't displeased."

The Fighting Camel Duals were hosted by Campbell University and held at the Pope Convocation Center on CU's campus.

UVU also had eight wrestlers competing at the Colorado Mesa Open in Grand Junction, Colo., on Saturday and six of them placed.Sam Mecham led the way by winning the 141-pound title, while Chasen Tolbert (125) placed third, Tucker Ray (149) fourth, Logan Addis (149) fifth, Zac Jensen (Hwt) fifth and Bracken Nipko (125) sixth.

The Wolverines will continue their weekend in North Carolina by participating in NC State's Wolfpack Open on Sunday. Live stats from the tournament can be followed by visiting TrackWrestling.com.

Fighting Camel Duals - Nov. 10, 2012 - Buies Creek, N.C.

Utah Valley 32, Campbell 6

125: Jade Rauser (UVU) over Eric Montoya (CAM), MD 12-2

133: Val Rauser (UVU) over Tanner Bidelspach (CAM), Dec. 3-0

141: Avery Garner (UVU) over Gabe Gardner (CAM), MD 10-0

149: Josh Wilson (UVU) over Ryan Krecker (CAM), Medical Forfeit

157: Nick Rex (CAM) over Chase Cuthbertson (UVU), Dec. 9-6

165: Ethan Smith (UVU) over Paul Duggan (CAM) Dec. 13-8

174: Monte Schmalhaus (UVU) over Cody Ryba (CAM) Dec. 5-2

184: Taylor McGiffen (CAM) over Derek Thomas (UVU) Dec. 3-2

197: David Prieto (UVU) over John Merickel (CAM) Dec. 5-3

285: Adam Fager (UVU) over Brenden Lindsay (CAM) Fall

Bloomsburg 25, Utah Valley 10

125: Jade Rauser (UVU) over Sean Boylan (BU) Dec. 2-0

133: Nick Wilcox (BU) over Val Rauser (UVU) MD 10-1

141: Simon Kitzis (BU) over Avery Garner (UVU) Dec. 7-5 OT

149: Josh Roosa (BU) over Josh Wilson (UVU) Dec. 3-1 OT

157: Frank Hickman (BU) over Chase Cuthbertson (UVU) Fall 4:22

165: Ethan Smith (UVU) over Josh Veltre (BU) Dec. 5-4

174: Monte Schmalhaus (UVU) over Chris SMith (BU) MD 10-1

View Comments

184: Andre Petroski (BU) over Derek Thomas (UVU) Dec. 7-2

197: Richard Perry (BU) over David Prieto (UVU) Dec. 4-2

285: Justin Grant (BU) over Adam Fager (UVU) Dec. 5-2

James Warnick is an assistant sports information director at Utah Valley University. For more information about Wolverine athletics, visit www.WolverineGreen.com.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.