OCR Text |
Show SPORTS B3 Via •■■•••■4116..........- P■.^ ..■■■•■■ - PHOTOS BY CLAIR MUIR/UVU REVIEW Utah Valley lost to Penn State 39-3, but that didn't stop the Nittany Lions' coaching staff and players from praising the Wolverines' program. Despite dominance, Penn State pays respect to UVU By ALEX RIVERA Sports Writer It is nearly 2,000 miles from Penn State University to Utah Valley University. To reach UVU by car would take one day, eight hours; to walk would be nearly a month. One would have to cross 8 states before reaching Orem. Yet, the Nittany Lions of Penn State decided to make the trip (by airplane) to face the Wolverines of Utah Valley WRESTLING From B1 Blake Mangum (133 pounds) showed great toughness and patience in his match before scoring the only points on the board for the Wolverines in dramatic fashion, completing a 3-1, come-from-behind victory. top lk. in a wrestling duel. Considering the distance between the two universities as well as the fact that Penn State is the defending champion, it is a wonder to some why they would make the effort to face a not-as-well known team in Utah. Utah native and Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson says it is more than just about visiting family and spending time with them. "Utah Valley wrestled well," Sanderson said. "You've got to give them credit for what they're doing out there. It was a great atmosphere. They're building their program. Their kids all wrestle hard and that's what we want." UVU had a plenty of opportunities to show their building program on big stages this year. Earlier in the season, they faced four nationally ranked teams (No. 8 Illinois, No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 12 Wyoming and No. 13 Ohio State). Although they lost those duels, they were recognized on a wider scale. Utah Valley head coach Greg Williams believes this kind of recognition will continue to help their talent learn and grow. "Anytime you can have that talent (Penn State) come into Utah Valley so that the fans can be involved and see that level of wrestling, that's where we expect to be," Williams said. "The way our guys need to learn is to get out of matches like that, see what it is that we're not good at yet, where guys are beating us, and then go back in the room and get repetitions with it until those repetitions relate to success on the mat against the competition." The program at Utah Valley continues to grow and expand as many students come because of its national recognition. No. 20 Josh Wilson continues to have an impressive year in his weight class of 149 lb s . While he is a junior, this Utah Valley team is flooded with freshmen trying to mak( an impact in their class. As th( program continues to grow Williams believes this coulc be a team to not overlook. "I believe we can be ranked team and I believe w( can continue to climb," Wil hams said. "I think we hav( the talent to do that." Utah Valley will face of against the Panthers of North ern Iowa in the NCAA West ern Regionals on March 5 with Josh Wilson hoping tc qualify for nationals. "I knew if I wrestled hard and gave it my all, I would wrestle well," said Mangum. "I just had a good day today." Penn State Head Coach Cael Sandersen also felt that UVU is a program on the rise. "We've got to give them credit for what they did out there," Sandersen said. "They have a solid program and their kids all wrestle hard." It might be hard to gauge while the score looks a bit one-sided, taking on nationally ranked talent and more experienced wrestlers, but Williams is optimistic of what the future holds for the program. "The fans can see that level of wrestling, that's where we expect to be at," Williams said. "I believe that we can be a ranked team, and we have the talent to do that." There is that old cliché that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Coach Williams feels that way moving forward with the program. "I hate to lose. If I didn't, I wouldn't have been successful as a wrestler and be building a good team," said Williams. "But when it comes to developing a team, the team develops as individuals develop." After the bout with Penn State, UVU took to the road to finish the season facing conference opponent Northern Colorado University and fell short 22-12. Now that the season is now over, the wrestling team will prepare for the regional championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa on March 4. Wettve4, •44, Want eiliN PIN student living.redefined. Job :1,1 Where We Are Look For Happy Resi Rates startin, • vow tand Out? Apply at • The Front Office 1111 S. 1350 W. Orem, UT 84058 275! Summer rates-stait in; at $155!! 801.431.0000 www.wolverinecrossing.com |