Kjar Advances to Second Day of Prestigious Tournament
Nov. 30, 2007
LAS VEGAS - Ben Kjar headlined nine Utah Valley wrestlers as the freshman from Centerville, Utah posted a 4-1 record at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Kjar will advance to take on fifth-seeded Gabe Flores from Illinois. If Kjar wins that match he will finish in the top-eight in the 125-pound weight division. The Las Vegas Invitational is the toughest competition UV has seen this year and annually draws some of the best wrestlers in the country. "Ben is really wresling well," UV head coach Greg Williams said. "There were some matches that pointed out things he needs to work on. But he continues to improve." Kjar started as the 11th seed and beat Purdue's Akif Gren 6-1 in the opening round of the tournament. In the second round, Kjar pinned Jason Blasdel (3:34) of Mesa State to advance to the round of 16. In the 16, Kjar went head-to-head with sixth-seeded Rollie Peterkin of Penn. Peterkin beat Kjar 11-4 in a match that was closer than the score would indicate. Kjar responded, winning decisions over Rider's Mitch Fenton (6-4) and Navy's Joey Boon (7-3). Jeff Newby (141) and Nate Kearsley (157) also picked up multiple wins for the Wolverines as each posted 2-2 records at the tournament. "This is a good tournament for our young team to compete in," Williams said. "It gives us opportunities to learn to get better against tough competition." Kjar will return to action tomorrow in the second day of the Las Vegas Invitational. The entire team resumes action in two weeks when the Wolverines travel to UC Davis for a head-to-head dual. |
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