The University of Wyoming wrestling team commences its season Saturday. The No. 25 Cowboys travel to Western Wyoming Community College – which is ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA – for a 5 p.m. contest inside Rushmore Gym. The dual will be broadcast on Flo Wrestling.

The Pokes are fresh off a 12-6 season that saw them win seven of their final eight duals. They sent five qualifiers to the NCAA Championships – where they finished 22nd – and four of them return for what appears to be a stout season.

Wyoming hosted its simulation duals this past Saturday inside the Fieldhouse. It afforded the team an opportunity to go through the motions of a real match with warmups and officials, while also giving them plenty to work on moving forward.

“After our simulation matches, we reinforced our desire to be more physical and aggressive with our hand placement and hand pressure,” head coach Mark Branch said. “That has been a focus all preseason, and although we did OK with it Saturday, it was not at the level we are wanting. I expect us to wrestle an entertaining style in Rock Springs and make an effort for seven minutes to score points from all positions.”

The simulation matches also helped set the lineup against the Mustangs. A few of the lightweights will be making their first-ever Division I collegiate start in Sefton Douglass (125) and John Alden (141). Antonio Avila (149), who made a pair of starts last year due to illness, will get the nod at his weight.

Recognizable names such as Jared Hill (157), Eddie Neitenbach (184) and Riley Davis (174) are set to go, as well. Highly-touted transfer, Christian Carroll (HWT), won his spot while the couple other spots are still question marked.

Any of the three – Brett McIntosh, Seamus Casey or Sloan Swan – will start at 165, and 133 will be either Cody Phelps or David Saenz. No freshmen Cowboy will compete at Western Wyoming.

It should also be noted that All-American, Joey Novak (197), will not be present. He’ll be participating in the NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Nine of the 10 slated to go for Western Wyoming are ranked inside the top 10. Three of them – Tommy Dalton (149), Banks Norby (165) and Banks Love (184) – boast the No. 1 ranking at their respective weight.