GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Colorado Mesa women's wrestling will continue their road ways this weekend when they head to Nebraska for the York Duals and York Open on Friday (Jan. 17) and Saturday (Jan. 18).
EARNING RECOGNITION
The Mavericks women's wrestling team is starting to earn the recognition at the national level with some of their success. This past weekend was another big step in the right direction.
Colorado Mesa placed fourth at the NWCA National Duals after defeating Limestone and perennial stalwart Emmanuel on their way to the semifinals of the event. In the semifinals they fell to top-ranked McKendree and in the third place match they fell to third-ranked King.
RANKED MATCHUPS
Colorado Mesa went 5-7 in matchups that featured ranked wrestlers during the NWCA National Duals.
Fourth-ranked 101 pounder
Jennesis Martinez went 1-1 in those matchups that included a win over third-ranked Iesha Washington of Emmanuel. She dropped a 5-0 decision to second-ranked Pauline Granados of McKendree.
Fourth-ranked 123 pounder
Marissa Gallegos went 2-1 in her ranked matches. She defeated sixth-ranked Emily Se of Emmanuel by way of tech fall and avenged two early season losses to second-ranked Alexia Ward of McKendree with a 7-7 criteria victory over her. Her lone loss was to top-ranked Cheyenne Sisenstein of King by fall.
Dalia Garibay, ranked fourth at 136 pounds, went 2-1 in her ranked matchups. Garibay defeated third-ranked Julia Padilla of Emmanuel by tech fall and earned a 9-4 decision over fourth-ranked 130 pounder Alyssa Aceval of King. Her lone loss came to top-ranked Emma Bruntil of McKendree.
YORK DUALS & OPEN
The Mavericks will take on a couple strong NAIA programs this weekend in Cumberlands and Jamestown. Cumberlands placed fourth in the NAIA Division of the NWCA National Duals last weekend while Jamestown placed fifth as a team at the Missouri Valley Open earlier this season.
Several schools are scheduled to compete in the open tournament on Saturday including Wayland Baptist, Ottawa, and Missouri Valley.
THE COACH
Second-year head coach
Travis Mercado has the Mavericks prepared for the season ahead. Mercado led Colorado Mesa to a 2-6 mark in the inaugural season. This season should be different with a full lineup and a roster of over 20 girls.
Prior to Colorado Mesa, Mercado was an assistant coach at King University in Tennessee where he oversaw the women's program and assisted with the men's team. At King, Mercado trained ten USA Olympic Trials competitors and nine USA Junior National Team members.
WHAT'S NEXT
Colorado Mesa will have a week off before heading back out on the road. They will travel to Lebanon, Ill. for another dual with top-ranked McKendree on February 7 followed by the Bearcat Open on Saturday February 8.
