The Mavericks’ Men’s Wrestling team narrowly defeated the Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU-P) Thunderwolves 23-21 on Thursday night during their annual Bank of Colorado Battle in Brownson.
The Mavericks capitalized while on top, throwing in legs and tilts that let them control the pace of the match. Tonight’s win gives Colorado Mesa University (CMU) their seventh of the season.
Redshirt freshman Dawson Collins opened the night with a 14-6 major decision for the Mavericks. Collins showed why he was the top ranked wrestler in the 125 pound weight class heading into this match.
At the 133 pound bout, redshirt junior Collin Metzgar dominated the 133 bout with a crowd-pleasing 13-1 major decision. Metzgar was readjusting his position on top, letting him control the match. Metzgar entered tonight as the seventh ranked Division Two wrestler in the nation.
Redshirt junior Seth Latham wrestled a near perfect match at the 174 pound bout. Once Latham secured his first takedown, he never relented and ended the match with a 16-0 technical fall.
Redshirt junior Nolan Krone pinned his way to victory, giving the Mavericks the lead that they never relinquished. Krone’s strong wrestling while on top displayed a constant theme for the Mavericks tonight.
“We practice a lot on-top but we kind of all have our own style. I like to grind them up and make it hurt a little bit, but as I said we all worked a lot on riding legs and that stuff,” Krone said.
At 197 pounds, redshirt senior and vocal leader Donnie Negus won a scrappy match 15-3. Throughout the match, Negus was on the edge of the mat helping coach his teammates alongside Head Coach Chuck Pipher and Assistant Coach Mike Mendoza.
“I just want to be out there and help everybody. I want to win just as much as they do; you know you have the crowd and your teammates yelling at you and everyone is getting loud… I think that whatever I’m saying out there is going to help them win,” Negus said.
After grinding out a win tonight, the Mavericks will turn their attention to the 21 ranked Colorado School of Mines Orediggers when they duel at Brownson Arena on Jan. 30 at 3 p.m.
