It appears as if Grand Junction is now a prime destination spot for young women wrestlers. For the lone collegiate program may be the best in the Rocky Mountain region.
The women’s wrestling team at Colorado Mesa University has seen remarkable growth over the past year. Yes, they’re a newer team but this doesn’t seem to bother them whatsoever.
“Priority one this year, as a second-year [program], was to recruit and make sure I brought in a full class and add depth to our lineup,” Head Coach Travis Mercado said. “Our recruiting class was ranked seventh in the nation out of all of the women’s college teams. So that’s approximately 45-50 teams.”
This year, the Mavericks are filled with new top tier talent whose goal is to take the women’s wrestling scene by storm. With the addition of California State Champion Dalia Garib as well as returning All-American Sierra Brown Ton, the women’s squad has significantly improved since its inaugural year.
“I’m focusing on being positive and getting the best score I can get,” Sierra Brown Ton said. “Last year we didn’t have a lot of girls, this year it’s too much better than we have about 30 girls so we’re able to practice more and we have more competition in the room.”
Brown Ton finished the 2018-19 season with an overall record of 27-13 as well as placing eighth at the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association National Championship.
Competition is what keeps this team sharp. The ability to wrestle numerous champions regularly at practice as well as compete alongside them helps tremendously when preparing for their upcoming matches.
“You really kind of push the long-term vision, you’re going to come here to grow and develop, and you’re going to come here and be a part of this rich history that we are going to have and to establish that culture of a championship program,” Coach Mercado said.
The Mavericks recently held their Maroon vs White exhibition dual meet. On the women’s end, the white team prevailed with an overall team score of 36-17. Freshman Jennesis Martinez and Kaylie Catalano took part in the first match of the night which resulted in a win for Martinez via Technical fall (11-0).
The quickest win of the meet came from Cindy Zepeda win over Sonya Nevis by fall in a dominate 37 seconds. Zepeda, the freshman out of Palm Springs, will be wrestling for the 130lbs weight class this season.
Culture is something the Mavericks are still trying to develop as a second-year program.
“It’s easy for [big-name schools] to say we have this tradition and this culture and you’re going to come in and be with some of the best girls in the nation and I don’t have that yet,” Mercado said. “We had an All-American last year with Sierra so that kind of help boosts some of that, alright they know what they’re doing here they’re going to get it done.”
The women’s program will next be traveling to Plainview, TX to compete against Wayland Baptist University at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9.
