RENO, Nev. — Christmas came early for University of Wyoming freshman Antonio Avila of Gillette, who scored a perfect 5–0 and won the title at the Reno Tournament of Champions wrestling meet on Dec. 22.
According to UW Athletics, Wyoming Wrestling Head Coach Mark Branch deliberately chose to send mostly backups and freshmen to the big yearly tournament — a departure from his normal choice to send primarily starters — and it paid off big.
Avila, in just his first season in college and at UW, had a perfect night with five decision wins. Now finished with his third tournament in college, he has a 14–0 all-time record.
See below the full breakdown of Avila’s night:
Antonio Avila (149) – First place
- Round of 32: Avila decision Jake Glade (Western Wyoming), 11–4
- Round of 16: Avila decision Victor Jacinto (Oregon State), 4–1
- Quarterfinals: Avila decision Jonah Chew (Embry-Riddle), 4–2
- Semifinals: Avila decision Zach Sato (Wisconsin-Eau Claire), 12–8
- Championship: Avila decision Ayden Garver (Oregon State), 6–2
Avila is no stranger to victory, however. As an athlete for Thunder Basin High School, he won individual state titles every year he attended. In his senior year, he also led his team to a state title. He is studying physiology at the University of Wyoming.
For more information on wrestling at the University of Wyoming, see the UW Athletics web page here.
