Final Brackets

Nov. 8, 2008

POWELL, Wyo. - Utah Valley University's wrestling team was led by sophomore Justin Morrill as he won his respective weight division and freshman Wade Eldredge as he placed second (157) at the Northwest Open on Saturday.

"Overall we did very well today," UVU assistant wrestling coach Erkin Tadzhimetov said. "Our varsity guys came out and did a great job for us. Also this was great experience for our freshmen and an eye opener as they were able to realize just what they can do."

Morrill led Utah Valley with his first place finish on the afternoon. The Logan, Utah native was able to go an impressive 4-0 as he beat the 149-pound number four seed, number one seed in the semi-final, and the two seed in the final as he dominated winning (9-0).

At 157 pounds the Wolverines were led by the redshirt-freshman Wade Eldredge who finished second on the day. Eldredge went 3-1 winning two of his matches by fall and the other by decision. He lost the final (5-3) to Wyoming's Brock Smith.

Redshirt-freshman Brad Darrington finished fourth in the 174-pound tournament for UVU. Darrington went 3-2 overall and made it into the semi-final match where he lost by fall.

True freshman Adam Fager went 3-2 for Utah Valley in the 197-pound tournament. Junior transfer Akmal Adilov for the Wolverines finished taking third place in the 125-pound tourney. He went an impressive 4-1 and his lone-loss came in the semis to the man from Wyoming who won the 125 division.

UVU also had a number of wrestlers compete unattached at the open. At 125 pounds Nicko Paraso went 3-2 and lost out by way of his teammate Adilov. Another 125 pounder Nick Flores went 2-2 and was beat out in the semi-finals. At 157 pounds Jeremy Nixon finished 2-2 and at 174 Diego Avalon went 2-2.

The Wolverines next action will come Nov. 13 at No. 2 ranked Iowa State in their first dual-match of the season. While in Iowa, Utah Valley will also compete at the Harold Nichols Open on Nov. 15.