GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa wrestling team started out a tough stretch of matches on a high note with a 28-17 victory over No. 11 Simon Fraser on Thursday evening in Brownson Arena in a battle of West Region foes.
Colorado Mesa dropped the opening bout of the night at 125 pounds but got even in the 133 pound bout. Freshman
Dylan Keeney secured his first collegiate dual victory, besting Riley Prough 8-6. Keeney earned a takedown and a quick two-point nearfall early in the first period and rode it to the win.
The Clan earned a pin at 141 pounds but the Mavericks secured wins in the next five bouts on their way to the dual win.
John Daniel earned a solid victory at 149 pounds with a 4-0 win over Taber Spray. Daniel earned a first period takedown and ended up with over four minutes of riding time in the bout.
In one of the most anticipated matches of the evening,
Payton Tawater made his debut for the Mavericks after suffering an injury in the NCAA Regional tournament a season ago and he didn't disappoint. Tawater pinned Cody Osborne at the 4:27 mark for his first win of the season.
Trent Armintrout picked up a win at 165 pounds after No. 1 ranked Tyler McLean suffered an apparent shoulder injury midway through the first period. Armintrout had a 2-0 lead at the time the match was stopped.
Bruno Nicoletti earned a 14-5 major decision at 174 pounds followed by
Adam Visconti earning a pin at the 4:07 mark of the second period to put the dual out of reach.
The Mavericks improved to 1-2 in duals this season with the win.
Colorado Mesa will head up to Gunnison for the Tracy Borah Duals this weekend where they will face nationally ranked Newberry and Findlay with Air Force sandwiched in between the two.
