The Colorado Mesa men's wrestling team will host No. 10 ranked Adams State on Saturday at 4pm in Brownson Arena. A select number of fans will be allowed to attend as long as they show a negative COVID test within the last 96 hours and are within the CMU Community.

WEEKEND RECAP
Colorado Mesa had a solid opening to the New Year by sweeping a pair of nationally ranked MIAA opponents in Newman and Fort hays State last Saturday at the FHSU Dual Jamboree in Hays, Kan. The Mavericks defeated No. 23 Newman 22-14 before a close bout with former RMAC rival No. 12 Fort Hays State, 22-21.
 
STRONG START
Redshirt junior Nolan Krone is a returning all-American to the Maverick lineup at 184 pounds and hasn't missed a beat. The Henderson, Colo. native is 4-0 and is coming off his most impressive win of the short season after defeating No. 9 ranked Aryus Jones of Fort Hays State 8-2 on Saturday.
 
Krone and Cian Apple at 125 pounds are the final two unbeaten Mavericks in the lineup along with possible fill-in this week Andrew Silva at 141 pounds.
 
BEEFING UP THE BACKEND
Freshman 285 pounder Gabe Carranza is getting a crash course on the weight on the fly in his first collegiate season. Carranza, who weighs in around 235 pounds weekly, has fared well in his four matches this year coming away with a 2-2 record. He has earned wins over Nebraska-Kearney and Newman while falling to a pair of wrestlers that have been around the block in Western Colorado's Sammy Deseriere and Fort Hays State's No. 10 AJ Cooper.
 
The California native benefits from having four veterans in the lineup directly in front of him to gain knowledge and is able to feed off their energy heading into his bouts.
 
SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
The Grizzlies feature one of the stoutest lightweight lineups in all of Division II with three of their first five weights ranked nationally. Not only are they ranked but they are all ranked in the top eight at 125, 133, and 149. Isaiah DeLaCerda checks in at No. 8 at 125 pounds followed by reigning RMAC Wrestler of the Week Jonathan Andreatta ranked No. 3 at 133 pounds. He is coming off a weekend where he pinned the No. 2 ranked wrestler at 125 pounds in the first period. Add in Noah Hermosillo at 149 pounds and ranked No. 7 and the lineup is tough.
 
Khalil Gipson is the final ranked wrestler for Adams State, ranked No. 5 at 197 pounds where he will matchup with returning NCAA National Qualifier Donnie Negus.
 
THE COACH
Head coach Chuck Pipher is in his 14^th season at the helm of the men's wrestling program which was reinstated at Colorado Mesa in 2006. Pipher led the Mavericks to the RMAC title during the 2015 season which was highlighted by James Martinez winning the 157-pound national title in thrilling fashion.
 
He has had at least one all-American in nine straight seasons and his teams have been in the top-ten of the National Academic standings three straight seasons.
 
Pipher was a three-time NAIA National Champion at Southern Colorado (now CSU Pueblo) and was named the RMAC Wrestler of the Century in January of 2009.
 
FREE YEAR
With uncertainty rampant during the college wrestling season this year, the NCAA granted all winter sports student athletes (Basketball, Wrestling, Indoor Track, Swimming & Diving) an extra year of eligibility similar to what took place during the fall season with football, volleyball, soccer and cross country.
 
So, in terms of eligibility, the year you see on the roster for the Colorado Mesa men's wrestling team this year, will also be their year next year as well.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Mavericks will head out on the road for a pair of RMAC duals against Chadron State and preseason RMAC favorite Colorado School of Mines. The dual against Chadron State will take place on Thursday January 21 in Chadron, Neb. before the Mavericks work their way back home and take on the Orediggers on Saturday January 23 in Golden at 1pm with extra matches to follow.
 
Schedule of Events
4pm – Dual with Adams State
Extra matches will take place simultaneously on a second mat
 
Probable Lineup
125:   Cian Apple, RSr., Arvada, Colo. / Northeastern JC (4-0 Overall)
133:   Collin Metzgar, RJr., Colorado Springs, Colo. / Northeastern JC (3-1 Overall)
Or      Dylan Keeney, RJr., Payson, Ariz. / Payson (3-0 Overall)
141:   Daniel Magaña, RFr., Santa Ana, Calif. / Servite (1-2 Overall)
Or      Andrew Silva, RFr., Santa Ana, Calif. / Vanguard Univ. (1-0 Overall)
149:   Ryan Wheeler, Fr., University Place, Wash. / Curtis (1-1 Overall)
157:   Dyllan Fuchs, So., Spring Creek, Nev. / Spring Creek (0-3 Overall)
165:   Fred Green, Sr., Port Orchard, Wash. / Boise State (1-1 Overall)
174:   Seth Latham, Jr., Grand Junction, Colo. / Grand Junction (1-3 Overall)
184:   #7 Nolan Krone, RJr., Henderson, Colo. / Pomona (4-0 Overall)
197:   Donnie Negus, RSr., Elizabeth, Colo. / Douglas County (3-1 Overall)
285:   Gabe Carranza, Fr., Victorville, Calif. / Victor Valley (2-2 Overall)