KEARNEY, Neb. – The Colorado Mesa wrestling team competed at the Nebraska-Kearney Holiday Inn Open at Buffalo County Fairgrounds. Nearly 500 wrestlers competed in the event with competitors entering from all levels of the collegiate ranks.
 
Daniel Salazar claimed the 141 pound elite championship defeating last season's national runner-up Corbin Bennetts from Western State Colorado 3-2. Salazar is now 13-1 on the season and has three open championships.
 
Senior 125 pounder Jonathon Stelling placed fourth in the elite division. Stelling fell to Nebraska-Kearney's Connor Bolling 3-1 in overtime in the third place match. He made the semifinals before falling to Kris Williams of Nebraska.
 
Freshman Payton Tawater also placed fourth in the tournament. The 157 pounder dropped his first round match then fought his way back through the consolation bracket before settling for fourth place. The Arvada native rattled off four straight wins before falling to CSU-Pueblo's JaCobi Jones in the third place match.
 
Jason Buhr placed fifth at 157 pounds as well.
 
The Mavericks will take some time off in the next three weeks before heading to Reno for the Tournament of Champions on Dec. 20.