LARAMIE – University of Wyoming senior Branson Ashworth earned the top pre-seed at 165 pounds for this week's Big 12 Wrestling Championships.
The event is Saturday and Sunday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nine of the 10 wrestlers in UW's lineup earned top-eight 8 pre-seeds. Pre-seeds and brackets are subject to change following the coaches’ meeting Friday night.
Ashworth has 30 wins this season, and has won 30 or more matches three times in his career. He won all 20 of his dual starts this season, and knocked off nine top 20 opponents. Ashworth is ranked eighth in the country at 165 pounds and has recorded 17 bonus-point wins, including 11 technical falls.
Sophomore Montorie Bridges is set to be seeded No. 3 at 133 pounds following a 27-7 overall regular season. Freshman Tate Samuelson also earns a top-four pre-seed at 184 pounds following a 21-4 rookie campaign.
Redshirt freshman Hayden Hastings and sophomore Brian Andrews are both seeded No. 5 at their respective weight classes. Hastings went 23-10 overall at 174 pounds including three top-12 ranked wins. Andrews finished second on the team in wins with a 29-8 record with 16 dual wins in 20 starts at heavyweight.
Cole Verner (125), Sam Turner (141) and Dewey Krueger (157) are seeded No. 6. Coming off a 22-13 regular season, redshirt freshman Cale Davidson is seeded No. 8 at 197 pounds.
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