COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa wrestling team competed at the RMAC Championships on Sunday (Jan. 31) at the Olympic Training Center. They placed eight of their 10 wrestlers in the top six of the tournament including an RMAC high five in the finals.
Jonathon Stelling started the finals off in a grand way, beating Western State's Ronny Wardleigh 7-5 to claim the 125 pound title. Stelling secured three takedowns in the match and earned the riding point in the end. Stelling improved to 15-4 on the season.
At 149 pounds,
Drew Schumann beat Terrance McKinney of Chadron State 5-0 to claim the championship. McKinney entered the night as the number one seed and ranked number two in the country while Schumann was ranked number seven. Schumann rode McKinney for nearly two rounds and earned a penalty point and the final riding point.
Western State's Corbin Bennetts claimed a 3-2 double overtime win over
Daniel Salazar. Bennetts earned a reversal in overtime and allowed just a lone escape to Salazar. The loss was Salazar's first against a Div. II opponent.
Jason Buhr dropped a 12-9 decision to JaCobi Jones of CSU-Pueblo. The two traded takedowns in the later minutes of the match but Buhr couldn't gain any advantage. He is now 1-2 against Jones this season.
Zak Slotten dropped a tough fought 2-1 overtime decision to nationally ranked Jacob Waste of Cal Baptist at 184 pounds. Slotten couldn't gain an escape in sudden victory and fell to Waste.
At 165 pounds,
Nick Swanson placed third after defeating Korey Windham from Adams State 3-2. Swanson dropped his first match of the day and fought his way back through the consolation bracket.
Haughian defeated Mick Doughrity for the second time today and third time this season to take third place. Haughian won 5-1 after earning a pair of takedowns and an escape.
Bruno Nicoletti placed fifth at 174 pounds. Nicoletti defeated Mike Marshall of San Francisco State by major decision 17-5 in his placement match.
Colorado Mesa finished in third place in the team standings with 105.5 points. Cal Baptist was the champion with 133.5 followed by Western State with 123.5.
The Mavericks will be on the road next weekend in California for a pair of duals at Cal Baptist and San Francisco State.
