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Show SPORTS VOL L ISSUE 27 www.uvureview.com March 14, 2011 Wolverine wrestling to represent at nationals Bruised, battered and broken Freshman Amanda Robinson By Nate Gray Asst. Sports Editor Courtesy of UVU Athletics Senior Justin Morrill will represent Utah Valley wrestling for the first time in his final year as a Wolverine. Three Wolverine wrestlers will head to NCAA Championships March 17-19 making his nationals debut. "I think last year was an experience for them (Kjar and Ray) to learn from and they've both stepped up their game this year," said Williams. "It's really valuable for them to have that experience last year." This trip to nationals won't see junior Brad Darlington repeat from last year, as an ongoing injury this season slimmed his chances. "It was great to see him back a little bit, but it was just a little too late," said Williams. "He's got another year and so we're talking about that." March 6 saw the Wolverines travel to Colorado Springs to compete at the NCAA West Regional. Ray took the confer- By Kira Terry Sports Editor Last year the wrestling team sent three Wolverines to nationals. This year three Wolverines will also make an appearance, two of which are repeating. "It's a really exciting time in the year," said Coach Williams. "This is what they work the whole year for. They are the guys that work hard every day in every aspect of their lives, so that makes it that much more exciting." Seniors Ben Kjar (125) and Flint Ray (133) are the two Wolverines who will be repeating for their second consecutive year. Senior Justin Morrill (141) will be ence title for the second consecutive year while Morrill and Kjar placed second and third, respectively. "Qualifying three guys is great," said Williams. "It's not an easy thing to get guys there, so we're really pleased to get three guys there." Kjar had to battle a little harder to earn his spot at nationals this year as he was upset during his first round, but he used the consolation bracket to get back on top and won the true second place match to earn his ticket to nationals. Morrill and Ray both won their first two matches, qualifying them quickly for their trip to nationals. Sophomore Josh Wilson (149) made it to the semifinal where he was overcome 3-1 and pushed to the consolation semis where he also was defeated 5-2. Senior Casen Eldredge (184) finished regionals with a 1-2 record while wrestlers Richard Winger (157), Jeb Clark (197, Trevor Rupp (197) and Christian Denny (HWT) all finished 0-2. "It was kind of a rollercoaster ride with a couple of them, but we're really pleased to send three," said Williams. Kjar, Morrill and Ray will represent Utah Valley March 17-19 in Philadelphia. UVUSPORTSSCHEDULE THURSDAY MAR. 17 Thursday, Mar. 17 Softball at Bethune Cookman Los Angeles, Calif. 12:00 p.m. Softball at North Dakota Los Angeles, Calif. 4:00 p.m. Baseball vs. Southern Utah University Orem, Utah 6:00 p.m. Wrestling at NCAA Championships Philadelphia, Pa. 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Women's Golf at NIU Snowbird Intercollegiate Tampa, Fla. All Day FRIDAY MAR. 18 Wrestling at NCAA Championships Philadelphia, Pa. 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Softball at Canisius Los Angeles, Calif 2:00 p.m. Softball at Loyola Marymount Los Angeles, Calif 4:00 p.m. Women's Golf at MU Snowbird Intercollegiate Tampa, Fla. All Day SATURDAY MAR. 19 Wrestling at NCAA Championships Philadelphia, Pa. 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Baseball vs. Southern Utah University Orem, Utah 1:00 p.m. It turns out that the game of softball isn't actually very soft. Just ask the UVU softball team. Injury after injury has put the league preseason favorites, and Coach Todd Fairbourne, in a difficult situation, one that has forced the lady Wolverines to learn a new talent for the game of softball: juggling. "Our season definitely has not started the way we thought it would," said Fairbourne. "We've faced some crazy injuries so far, and we've had to move some girls into positions earlier than we thought we would have, but that's part of the game and it's my job as a coach to have them ready to play no matter what." Juggling new lineups, the lady Wolverines opened up the season going 1-9, but have shown huge signs of improvement along the way. Fairbourne said that he is impressed with the growth of the team so far, but also knows they still need to get better. "You have to learn to overcome, you have to learn to stay competitive and you have to learn to win," Fairbourne said. "I don't care if its injuries, Texas Tech (No. 21 nationally ranked opponent that swept UVU this season) or whatever other obstacles fall in our way, we need to figure it out." UVU's pre-conference schedule hasn't softened the injury blow for the lady Wolverines thus far, as they have already played New Mexico, Texas Tech and last year's Big West champions and NCAA regional participant UC Davis. Fairbourne believes that between a tough schedule and adversity from injuries his team has already faced this season, the lady Wolverines will be ready to make another run at Conference championship. Junior Amanda Perez and freshman Amanda Robinson have led the attack offensively for UVU so far through the season. Combined, the duo has accounted for five of the teams six home runs, 24 of the 37 RBI, and are numbers one and two on the team in batting average, respectively. Perez hit .333 with two home runs and 13 RBI during the team's trip to Texas Tech, and was rewarded by the Pacific Coast Softball Conference Mountain Division as the Player of the Week. Due to weather scheduling issues UVU Athletics faces every spring, the Wolverines will have played their first 21 games on the road before coming home for four games, three of which are when they will host the UVU Invitational April 1-2. |