GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa men's wrestling team will compete in a pair of duals this week on the road. On Wednesday, they will travel to Las Vegas, N.M. for a battle with the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys. Then, on Thursday they will head north for a bout with the Adams State Grizzlies.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The last time the Mavericks stepped foot on the mat they did something they haven't done since the program was brought back in 2006. Colorado Mesa defeated No. 12 San Francisco State 45-0 for their first shutout under coach Chuck Pipher.
 
Dylan Keeney (133), Daniel Van Hoose (141) and Seth Latham (174) all recorded pins for the Mavericks in the historic win.
 
GETTING HEALTHY
Colorado Mesa has been hit with the sick bug and injury bug over the last two weeks with wrestlers in and out of the lineup. There is some good news and bad news on that front. Fred Green is slated to be in the lineup this week after a deep bruise kept him out of the last dual while freshman Dyllan Fuchs should return after the sick bug bit him a few weeks ago. Nationally ranked Payton Tawater could return to the mat this week after an injury sidelined him since the Tracy Borah Duals.
 
Junior Cian Apple will like spell Colin Metzgar at 125 pounds this week as he was injured a few weeks back and Dylan Keeney and Erik Contreras will not make the trip this week after coming down with an illness.
 
HOT STREAK
Junior Nolan Krone is arguably the hottest wrestler in the conference over the last three weeks. He was named RMAC Wrestler of the Week last week after defeating No. 3 Justin PIchedwatana of San Francisco State 7-2, handing him just his third loss of the season. The Henderson, Colo. native has won eight matches in a row and with a strong finish could be one of the top seeds at 184 pounds in three weeks.
 
SCOUTING THE COWBOYS
New Mexico Highlands has struggled in duals this year but have a couple of wrestlers to keep an eye on during the match in Jonathan Trujillo and Logan Pine. Trujillo, a hometown product for Highlands, is ranked No. 12 at 141 pounds and is currently No. 3 in the region while Pine showed signs of greatness early in his career and has had a solid season for the Cowboys.
 
SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES
Adams State enters the dual tied for No. 13 in the latest NWCA National Poll with three highly ranked wrestlers. Jonathan Andreatta is ranked No. 5 at 133 pounds while Noah Hermosillo is up to No. 4 at 141 pounds, the highest ranked Grizzly in the lineup. Grand Junction native Josiah Rider is No. 6 at 149 pounds.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Mavericks will have their final dual of the season on Wednesday February 19 when they travel to Gunnison for a bout with rival Western Colorado.
 
Projected Weekend Lineup
125 – Cian Apple, Jr., Arvada, Colo. (12-8 overall)
133 – Dylan Keeney, RSo., Payson, Ariz. (14-12 overall)
141 – Daniel Van Hoose, So., Grand Junction, Colo. (9-2 overall)
149 – Dyllan Fuchs, Fr., Spring Creek, Nev. (8-3 overall)
157 – #8 Payton Tawater, RJr., Arvada, Colo. (7-3 overall)
165 – #10 Fred Green, Jr., Port Orchard, Wash. (17-3 overall)
174 – Seth Latham, So., Grand Junction, Colo. (13-9 overall)
184 – Nolan Krone, So., Henderson, Nev. (18-5 overall)
197 – #11 Donnie Negus, Jr., Elizabeth, Colo. (10-6 overall)
285 – Hunter Mooring, So., Pueblo, Colo. (4-9 overall)