Wyoming’s Jacob Wright Lands Bronze at Big 12 Championships

* University of Wyoming press release

TULSA, Okla., – The Wyoming Cowboy Wrestling squad wrapped up competition at the Big 12 Championships on Sunday in Tulsa, Oklahoma held inside the BOK Center. The second day of action in Tulsa was highlighted by Jacob Wright finishing third at 157 pounds while a total of six Cowboys finished in the top eight. 

Get our free mobile app

“It’s huge to finish with a win and it’s great that some of our guys were able to go out there and finish on a high note. It gives those guys a sense of momentum and a little bit more confidence than they’ve had,” UW head wrestling coach Mark Branch said. “Obviously it’s been a very trying season for our whole team but to come here and outperform what we’ve done all year gives them confidence and trust in their training. It’s a great feeling and there’s still improvement we can get to in the next week.”

Wright opened his day against Jared Hill (OU) in a match where Wright seized control, getting the only takedown of the contest in the first period. From there Wright went to work on top racking up riding time and adding an escape point to secure a 4-2 victory and a spot in the consolation finals.

In the consolation finals, Wright went up against No. 7 seeded Jason Kraisser (ISU), who Wright defeated earlier in the season. In their rematch, Wright and Kraisser found themselves tied late in the third period, but with the match on the line Wright made the decisive move blowing through Kraisser’s defense for a takedown to secure the 7-6 decision victory. 

The third-place finish for Wright matches his performance from a season ago at the Big 12 Championships while also bringing his career win total to 102, putting him in 19th in program history.

Coming into the weekend unseeded at 165 pounds, Cole Moody closed out his incredible weekend by finishing fourth and earning his second career top four finish at the Big 12 Championships. 

At 125 pounds, Jore Volk closed out his weekend on a high note as he went up against Tucker Owens (AF) in the fifth-place match. After giving up an early 2-0 lead, Volk scored six straight points to seal a 6-2 decision victory and earn a fifth-place finish in his first Big 12 tournament. 

Garrett Ricks (133), Job Greenwood (141) and Chase Zollmann (149) all finished the weekend in eighth place after entering the weekend unseeded. In total, four Cowboys finished in the top eight of their respective weights after entering the weekend unseeded.

As a team, the Cowboys finished in 10th with 41 points, finishing ahead of Utah Valley, West Virginia and CBU. 

Up next the trio of Jore Volk (125), Jacob Wright (157) and Cole Moody (165) will prepare for a return trip to Tulsa and the BOK Center to compete in the NCAA Championships March 16-18. The at -large selections for the NCAA Tournament will be announced Tuesday, March 7 while the brackets and seeds will be released Wednesday March 8. 

9th place match: Xavier Doolin (UNC) dec. Terren Swartz (WYO) 9-3