Colorado Mesa traveled to Golden on Friday for the first round of the NCAA West Wrestling Regionals at the Colorado School of Mines.
After a long day of matches in such a competitive atmosphere, five wrestlers for Colorado Mesa still have a chance to make the NCAA National Championships.
Senior Daniel Salazar won his first two matches to reach the semi’s but lost to Brandon Ball from Fort Hays State in a 7-1 decision. He still has a chance to make Nationals when faces Justin Ray in the consolation semifinal.
In the 174-pound bracket, Bruno Nicoletti defeated higher-seated Miguel Barreras from Central Oklahoma to advance to the semis. Nicoletti was defeated by Western’s Brandon Supernaw in an overtime bout.
Austin Gaun also made it to the semi’s when he conquered Richard Bencomo in the quarterfinals. Gaun fell to number one seeded Nick Feigener in the semi’s which means Gaun will now compete in the 184-pound consolation bracket semis in an attempt to make it to Nationals.
Jason Buhr was the final Maverick to reach the semi’s in the regular bracket but was defeated by Calvin Ochs from Nebraska-Kearney. Buhr, like the rest of his teammates, will compete in the consolation semis for a spot at Nationals.
RMAC Champion, Payton Tawater, had to drop out of the tournament due to a leg injury he suffered in a quarterfinal match of the 157-pound bracket.
The tournament resumes on Saturday in Golden.
