GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa wrestling team opened the dual portion of their season on Thursday night with a 36-12 win over Cloud County Community College in Brownson Arena. The Mavericks won seven of the nine contested bouts on the evening with all seven wins going for bonus points.
 
The Mavericks forfeited at 125 pounds and dropped the match at 133 pounds to go in the hole 9-0 heading into the 141-pound bout.
 
Eduardo Penha started the streak of seven straight wins with a pin of Grand Junction product Tyren Castonguay at the 4:05 mark of the bout. The match was the first for Penha in his Maverick career as he had to sit out last season after transferring from St. Cloud State due to transfer rules. Penha led 11-3 before pinning Castonguay.
 
Junior Kyle Kintz followed with a pin at 149 pounds, giving the Mavericks the 12-9 advantage in the dual.
 
11^th ranked Payton Tawater earned an 18-2 technical fall win at 157 pounds followed by a 15-5 major decision victory for 12^th ranked Jason Buhr at 165 pounds. The Mavericks ranked duo extended the lead in the dual to 21-9.
 
Spot starters Donnie Negus at 174 pounds and Patrick Romero at 184 pounds each earned bonus point victories. Negus secured an 18-3 technical fall win while Romero pinned Jayden Creach at the 4:24 mark of the bout.
 
Redshirt freshman Hunter Mooring continued his hot start to the season with a 16-5 major decision victory at 197 pounds. Mooring moved his record to 4-1 on the year, matching his win total from a year ago.
 
The Thunderbirds earned the win at 285 pounds as No. 4 JUCO ranked Benny Hernandez earned a 10-7 win over Clayton Voytilla.
 
Colorado Mesa will take on No. 2 ranked Nebraska-Kearney tomorrow night at 6pm in Brownson Arena.