ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Colorado Mesa women's wrestling team competed in the West Coast Tournament of Champions duals tournament on Friday afternoon at the Hardwood Palace. The Mavericks placed fourth out of six teams including the program's first-ever dual victory.
CMU opened the day against York College from Nebraska where they won the programs first dual meet win despite a 25-25 tie. The Mavericks won on criteria as
Carson Pipher recorded a pin at 143 pounds over Katie Bell of York at the 1:15 mark of the first period.
Against York, Pipher's match was the only one truly contested for the dual as numerous exhibitions were wrestled in each of the duals to ensure that student-athletes could wrestle the most matches possible.
Alma Mendoza won her match at 155 pounds over Veronica Coppolino of Grays Harbor College by fall at the 4:13 mark of the match.
In their second dual, Colorado Mesa took on No. 16 Southern Oregon for a spot in the West Coast Tournament of Champions Finals dual. Southern Oregon flexed their muscles in the dual winning all but one of the true contested matchups in a 26-16 win for the NAIA power.
Sierra Brown Ton earned a pin at 123 pounds in just 42 seconds over Nevina DeLuca while teammate
Carson Pipher locked in a tough battle with sixth-ranked Gladdys Palma. Palma got up 9-0 on Pipher but the senior cut the lead to 9-6 before falling by pin at 5:47.
Colorado Mesa took on Umpqua CC from Oregon in the third-place matchup. Umpqua came away with the 25-19 win in the dual to claim third place. The Mavericks won three matches in the dual plus a forfeit victory at 155 pounds.
Kaylee Lacy earned her first win back after coming off an injury. Lacy defeated Moira Sheldon by fall at the 2:26 mark of the first period. The win was the first in a string of three straight wins for Colorado Mesa.
Amber Strong won her match with a 41 second pin of Laura Ekada at 136 pounds followed by a 10-0 technical fall win for
Carson Pipher over Umpqua's Melissa Jacobs.
Colorado Mesa will compete in the individual tournament as part of the West Coast Tournament of Champions on Saturday at the Hardwood Palace.
