GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The No. 15 Colorado Mesa wrestling team began their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title defense on Wednesday (Jan. 19) evening as they took on San Francisco State in Brownson Arena. The Mavericks came away with a 28-17 win on the evening despite a handful of lackluster performances.
 
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, only six bouts were contested on the evening with each team winning three of those. Colorado Mesa benefitted from wins via forfeit at 184, 197 and 285 pounds.
 
No. 2 ranked Collin Metzgar earned the Mavericks first win of the evening at 133-pounds after the Gators picked up the forfeit win at 125-pounds. Metzgar scored two takedowns, an escape, and the riding time point in a 6-2 win over Stefano McKinney.
 
San Francisco's nationally ranked Josh Fuentes Norikoiyo earned the 5-4 win at 141-pounds to put the Gators ahead 9-3 in the dual.
 
Redshirt freshman Nick Gallegos made it 9-6 after he got the decision victory at 149-pounds with a 7-3 win over Basil Othman.
 
The Gators scored back-to-back major decision victories at 157 and 165 to push out to a 17-6 lead in the dual.
 
Seth Latham might have had the most exciting bout of the night at 174 pounds. He dominated in the top position and came away with an 11-0 major decision victory in the last contested bout of the night. For Latham, it was his 50^th career victory in a Maverick singlet.
 
Nolan Krone, Donnie Negus and Gabe Carranza all picked up forfeit victories in the last three weights of the evening.
 
The Mavericks will be back in action next week on Thursday as they host CSU Pueblo for the Bank of Colorado Battle in Brownson. They also will take on Colorado School of Mines for senior night on Sunday January 30 at 1:30pm.
 
Bout-by-Bout Results
125 – Tony Margiotta (SFSU) wins by forfeit
133 – #2 Collin Metzgar (CMU) dec. Stefano McKinney, 6-2
141 – #5 Josh Fuentes Norikiyo (SFSU) dec. Erik Contreras, 5-4
149 – Nick Gallegos (CMU) dec. Basil Othman, 7-3
157 – Mason Boutain (SFSU) maj. dec. Daniel Magana, 11-1
165 – Aaron Galef (SFSU) maj. dec. Tanner Tsinigine, 11-2
174 – Seth Latham (CMU) maj. dec. Kweli Hernandez-Maitre, 11-0
184 – Nolan Krone (CMU) wins by forfeit
197 – #10 Donnie Negus (CMU) wins by forfeit
285 – Gabe Carranza (CMU) wins by forfeit
 
EXH. – Troy Ramirez (CMU) pins Aria Mazroy, 1:01
EXH. – Marco Ruffinelli (SFSU) tech falls Johnny Masopust, 16-0