Eight Utah Valley University wrestlers remain in contention after the first session of the 2026 Big 12 Wrestling Championships at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Kael Bennie was among those advancing, securing a major decision win over Missouri’s Evan Bates, who is ranked 12th and seeded sixth in the tournament. This victory avenged an earlier loss to Bates during conference duals. Bennie will face Bennett Berge of South Dakota State, the No. 4 seed, in his next match after dropping his opening bout to Oklahoma State’s Cody Merrill.
Mark Takara and Zyon Trujillo also kept their hopes alive with wins following losses in their opening matches. Takara lost to Cael Swensen of South Dakota State but came back to defeat Daishun Powe from Northern Colorado. Trujillo was defeated by Marcus Espinoza-Owens (SDSU) before earning a win over Kilian Schultz (Northern Colorado).
Other Utah Valley wrestlers still competing include Geronimo Rivera (133 pounds), Haiden Drury (141), David Evans (149), Hudson Rogers (174), and Caleb Uhlenhopp (184). Both Drury and Evans reached the quarterfinals before close defeats. Drury lost to Tyler Wells on a 4-2 decision after video review awarded Wells a last-second takedown. Evans was defeated by Caleb Rathjen, ranked 16th and seeded sixth, in sudden victory.
Evans had advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Arizona State’s Benji Alanis, riding him for two minutes in a scoreless second period before escaping in the third and winning 2-0.
The second session begins Friday at 5 p.m. CST and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Session I results included Bridger Ricks falling to Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) and Tucker Owens (Air Force) at 125 pounds; Rivera losing to Luke Willochell (Wyoming) at 133 pounds; Drury being edged out by Tyler Wells (Oklahoma) at 141; Evans beating Alanis but losing to Rathjen at 149; Takara splitting matches at 157; Trujillo doing likewise at 165; Rogers losing by technical fall at 174; Uhlenhopp being pinned at 184; Bennie splitting matches at 197; and Jack Forbes dropping both his heavyweight bouts.
