The Cowboys got a solid 10-3 win from redshirt freshman Michael Martinez to begin the evening at 125-pounds. Sophomore Cole Dallaserra then earned four team points for the `Pokes with his impressive 10-1 major decision victory at 141, followed by a grinding 4-0 win at the 149-pound level by senior Cody Chipperfield.
Redshirt freshman Brock Smith scored an exciting win by fall at 157-pounds over 2008 NCAA participant Lucas Espericueta. Smith caught his opponent off-guard with a rush, put him on his back and did not let up until both of Espericueta's shoulders were on the mat two minutes into the match.
In the 174-pound bout, fellow redshirt frosh Shane Onufer simply over-powered and pinned his opponent at 1:54 in the first period.
"Tonight was a small glimpse into the future of this program...a small glimpse," said Branch. "It was nice to meet the Wyoming crowd. We had some good spots and the level of competition level was higher than we have seen so far this year, but we have a long way to go. I think our guys may have been a little shell-shocked because we really didn't improve from last weekend and I'm not real happy about that.
"Brock Smith is a raw talent who has been a surprise for us from day one. Tonight he beat a good wrestler and I'm excited about that.
"Shane (Onufer) did what he was supposed to do and wrestled aggressively."
All five Cowboy wins were wire-to-wire and for the most part Wyoming took the fight to Stanford. The `Pokes won by forfeit at 184-pounds and at heavyweight. A crowd of 515 fans took in the action.
UW senior Eric Coxbill lost a close 9-7 decision at 157-pounds, while junior Cory VomBaur (133) and true freshman Alfonso Hernandez (197) fell in their match-ups.
Wyoming will continue to wrestle for the home crowd on Saturday, Nov. 15, when UW hosts the 36th annual Cowboy Open tournament, all day in the War Memorial Fieldhouse. Over 20 collegiate teams and 450 individuals will compete.
Cowboy Open results can be followed on TrackWrestling.com and matches are scheduled to begin on nine mats at 9 a.m., running all day through the finals on Saturday evening.
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