GUNNISON, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa wrestling team continued on one of their most strenuous stretches of the season where they will face five ranked opponents in two weeks. Today, was the Tracy Borah Duals, hosted by Western State Colorado in Mountaineer Fieldhouse.
#14 Newberry 24, Colorado Mesa 22
Colorado Mesa dropped six of the ten bouts and yet only lost the dual by two points to nationally ranked Newberry. Three of Colorado Mesa's wins came by pin with the other coming for a major decision which helped keep the dual score close.
The Wolves won the first three bouts before
John Daniel stepped up at 149 and delivered an 11-1 major decision win over Jody McAlister. Daniel pushed the pace and wore down his East Coast opponent in the third period where he scored a pair of nearfalls.
Trent Armintrout,
Bruno Nicoletti, and
Adam Visconti all earned falls after a forfeit at 157 pounds. Armintrout trailed in his entire bout but earned the fall at the 4:09 mark of the bout. Nicoletti and Visconti each earned first round falls.
Air Force 27, Colorado Mesa 14
Colorado Mesa garnered just three wins in the dual with Division I Air Force. The Falcons, fresh off an impressive performance at the Southern Scuffle, trotted out most of their starting lineup against the Mavericks.
Freshman
Dylan Keeney earned a win at 133 pounds. Trailing by scores of 13-5 and 15-10 in the bout, Keeney worked the takedown, cut method to whittle the deficit down. On his final attempt, Keeney was able to turn Justin Becci to his back to earn the fall at 6:11.
Bruno Nicoletti earned his second victory of the day with a 18-2 technical fall over John Hagey while
Adam Visconti followed with a 6-1 decision victory over Jimmy Weaver.
#18 Findlay 30, Colorado Mesa 13
The Mavericks closed out the duals with a bout against Findlay from Ohio, another nationally ranked opponent this week. Colorado Mesa once again won just three of the bouts for the second straight dual.
Bruno Nicoletti closed out the day with a 3-0 record after earning a 6-1 win over the long and lanky Natean Vandermeer.
Dylan Keeney won his second straight bout, coming from behind and earning a fall at the 3:55 mark of the match. Keeney was behind in the bout before wearing down Mike Stewart in the second period.
John Daniel earned his second major decision victory of the day with an 11-3 win over Josh Wimer.
