UVSC wrestling looks to be on an upswing

OREM — Utah Valley State coach Cody Sanderson has high expectations for his team as he and his wrestlers begin their home season Saturday against Western State College.

"What I expect this team to do," said Sanderson, "is make a name for ourselves as a wrestling program. We're still young. We still have a long ways to go, but we have a group of guys that I think will get people to pay a little more attention to what we're doing, the wrestling community as well as everyone else around UVSC."

The Wolverines have already had one dual meet against perennial powerhouse Iowa State and three tournaments in the wrestling program's third year of existence.

They've seen a measure of success in these tournaments but did lose to Iowa State 33-9 to open the season. Last year, the Wolverines lost to the Cyclones 24-9. Talon Vickers was the only wrestler who came away with a win on the mat. The other was a forfeit.

This year, UVSC won three matches, including freshmen Dallin Norton in the heavyweight class. The other winners were seniors Ivan Bigney of Wallsburg and Erkin Tadzhimetov of Uzbekistan, who redshirted last year.

"I think things have gone relatively well," said Sanderson. "We have a young team, but the guys are learning fast. They're getting better match by match. I've been happy with what I've seen so far."

Wrestlers to watch this year include Vickers (125 pounds), Tadzhimetov (133), Daniel Polkowske (141), Tanner Cowan (157), and Norton at the heavyweight spot.

Vickers is one of the top returning wrestlers for the Wolverines.

"Talon's really doing a nice job," said Sanderson. "He's made the finals twice now in these open tournaments we've been to. I'm waiting for him to break out and beat that top guy. When he's focused, he's really tough to beat.

"A real pleasant surprise is our 141 pounder, Daniel Polkowske," said Sanderson of the freshman walk-on. "He's won a bunch of matches for us already. I've been very pleased with him. He's just a young kid that I think has great promise. He's actually a 133-pounder, but he's behind Erkin, who's our starter there."

Erkin not only won his match against Iowa State to begin the year, he also placed first in the Cyclone Open in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the next day and is ranked 19th in the Intermat/NWCA national rankings.