Colorado Mesa will compete for the last time this weekend before postseason competition begins. The Mavericks will take on Lindenwood tonight at 5pm before squaring off with a pair of nationally ranked foes on Sunday at the McKendree Bearcat Duals. There they will face off with top-ranked McKendree and No. 5 North Central College.
 
EYES ON THE POSTSEASON
The road to the WCWC National Championships became a little clearer this week as the group released dates, locations and regional information this week on the NWCA website.
 
Colorado Mesa will compete in the Southwest Regional Tournament on February 21 in Lebanon, Ill and hosted by top-ranked McKendree. The Mavericks along with Fontebonne, Lindenwood, Schreiner, Westminster (Mo.) and the host Bearcats will compete in the regional. The top four wrestlers at each weight will advance to the WCWC National Championships.
 
This year's championship will be contested at Tiffin University in Ohio on Saturday March 6 in a one-day tournament to determine this year's national champions among NCAA schools. Champions from this year's tournament will qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials which will be held in State College, Pa. in April.
 
MAVS ON THE MOVE
The new NWCA National Rankings were released this week and Colorado Mesa had eight wrestlers ranked, moving them into the No. 4 spot nationally.
 
Both Marissa Gallegos (123) and Dalia Garibay (136) are ranked second at their respective weights. Gallegos moved up one slot from the preseason rankings while Garibay has been locked in that position since her national runner-up finish a year ago.
 
Freshman Tristan Kelly entered the rankings at No. 3 at 171 pounds. She was joined by three of her fellow freshmen in Holly Beaudoin who entered at No. 8 at 130 pounds, Zoe Gress No. 7 at 155 pounds and Isabeau Shalack No. 7 at 191 pounds.
 
Returning all-Americans Jennesis Martinez (101) and Kaylee Lacy (143) are each ranked No. 5 at their weight.
 
THE COACH
Head coach Travis Mercado is entering his third season leading the Mavericks and has them prepared for the season ahead. Mercado has a 11-13 record overall in duals including 7-4 mark a year ago and a fourth-place finish at the NWCA National Duals and the WCWC National Championships.
 
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.
 
Last year, Mercado was named the head coach for Team USA at the Junior Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The team would have included the top finishers at the Junior World Team trials that were postponed due to COVID.
 
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
Colorado Mesa's regular season is complete, and they will compete at the Southwest Regional Tournament at McKendree on February 21 with the top four at each weight qualifying for the WCWC National Championships in March.
 
Schedule of Events
Friday February 5
5pm – Lindenwood dual
 
Sunday February 7
11am – McKendree dual
12pm – North Central dual
*Extra matches will be mixed in sporadically throughout the day
 
Projected Lineup
101: #5 Jennesis Martinez, So., Albuquerque, N.M. / Manzano (2-3 overall)
109: OPEN
116: Anja Tschohl, So., Andover, Kan. / Andover (5-5 overall)
123: #2 Marissa Gallegos, RSo., Denver, Colo. / Jefferson (9-1 overall)
130: #8 Holy Beaudoin, Fr., Poulsbo, Wash. / North Kitsap (7-4 overall)
136: #2 Dalia Garibay, So., Brentwood, Calif. / Freedom (3-0 overall)
143: #5 Kaylee Lacy, Jr., Grand Junction, Colo. / Grand Junction (6-3 overall)
155: #7 Zoe Gress, Fr., Hoosick Falls, N.Y. / Hoosick Falls Central (5-4 overall)
170: #3 Tristan Kelly, Fr., Erie, Colo. / Douglas County (6-1 overall)
191: #7 Isabeau Shalack, Fr., Evergreen Park, Ill. / Evergreen Park (4-2 overall)