The Colorado Mesa men's wrestling team will open up the New Year by traveling to Hays, Kan. for the Fort Hays State Jamboree that includes a pair of duals against nationally ranked competition. The Mavericks will take on the host Fort Hays State and Newman for their second and third duals against MIAA competition.

SEEING GREEN
Senior Fred Green returns to the mat for his final semester of competition. Green, a Boise State transfer, Green was named a NWCA all-American a year ago at 165 pounds after going 23-3 and capturing the Super Region VI title after defeating returning NCAA National Champion Matt Malcolm of Nebraska-Kearney in the final.
 
Green had one semester of eligibility left and had to sit out the fall semester missing out on the opportunity for the rematch with Malcolm in the dual in Brownson Arena in December.
 
LINEUP NEWCOMER
Freshman Ryan Wheeler is set to make his Colorado Mesa debut on Saturday at the Fort Hays State Jamboree. The University Place, Wash. native is a two-time state champion and going to wrestle in his first collegiate match on Saturday at 149 pounds.
 
Wheeler recently rose to the top of the weight after the winter break and coming out on top in numerous challenge matches during practice.
 
APPLE A DAY
Senior Cian Apple made a good first impression as a mainstay in the lineup at 125 pounds after the opening weekend. Apple went 2-0 with a 9-3 decision over Jackson Nielsen of Nebraska-Kearney and a quick pin of Seth Lisowski of Western Colorado in the season-opening competition.
 
Apple went 15-10 in opens and four duals last season.
 
NATIONALLY RANKED MATCHUPS
Several Colorado Mesa wrestlers will lock horns in matchups with nationally ranked wrestlers in Kansas on Saturday. Check out those matchups below:
 
125: Cian Apple (CMU) vs. #2 Mason Turner (FHSU)
165: Fred Green (CMU) vs. #3 Kameron Frame (NEWM)
174: Seth Latham (CMU) vs. #6 Martin Verhaeghe (FHSU)
184: #7 Nolan Krone (CMU) vs. #9 Aryus Jones (FHSU)
285: Gabe Carranza (CMU) vs. #10 Fort Hays State (FHSU)
 
While most of the matchups are first time matchups, two of these matchups have been wrestled before. Latham has a 3-2 record against Verhaeghe over the past two years while Krone and Aryus Jones split a pair of matchups last year.
 
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 return home for their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference dual. They will take on the Adams State Grizzlies on Thursday January 13 at 6pm in Brownson Arena. Adams State will also compete at the Fort Hays State Jamboree this weekend for their first competitions of the year.
 
Schedule of Events
8am – Dual vs. Newman
10am – Dual vs. Fort Hays State
*Exhibitions will take place on a separate mat
 
Probable Lineup
125:   Cian Apple, RSr., Arvada, Colo. / Northeastern JC (2-0 Overall)
133:   Collin Metzgar, RJr., Colorado Springs, Colo. / Northeastern JC (2-0 Overall)
141:   Daniel Magaña, RFr., Santa Ana, Calif. / Servite (1-1 Overall)
149:   Ryan Wheeler, Fr., University Place, Wash. / Curtis (0-0 Overall)
157:   Dyllan Fuchs, So., Spring Creek, Nev. / Spring Creek (0-1 Overall)
165:   Fred Green, Sr., Port Orchard, Wash. / Boise State (0-0 Overall)
174:   Seth Latham, Jr., Grand Junction, Colo. / Grand Junction (0-2 Overall)
184:   #7 Nolan Krone, RJr., Henderson, Colo. / Pomona (2-0 Overall)
197:   Donnie Negus, RSr., Elizabeth, Colo. / Douglas County (1-1 Overall)
285:   Gabe Carranza, Fr., Victorville, Calif. / Victor Valley (1-1 Overall)