After finishing 5-9-1 in the 2017-2018 season, Colorado Mesa University men’s wrestling team returns looking to improve on that mark and make an impact in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
The Mavericks have an assortment of talent returning to their 2018-2019 team including senior Jason Buhr and junior Payton Tawater. Buhr earned a spot on the All-RMAC Preseason team at 165 pounds while Tawater made it at 157 pounds. The two hope to lead a Maverick team that was picked to finish third in the RMAC this season behind CSU-Pueblo and Western University.
Buhr finished last year’s campaign at 13-6 and made it to the NCAA Div. II National Tournament after defeating #1 JaCobi Jones of CSU-Pueblo. Tawater was a force last season and ranked as high as No. 2 nationally at one point in the season. The junior finished 10-2 last season and was 7-0 duals and 3-0 in RMAC play.
Head coach Chuck Pipher returns for his 13th season leading the Mavericks. Under Pipher’s tutelage, CMU has qualified at least one wrestler to the NCAA Division II National Tournament 10 of the 12 years he’s been at the helm.
The Mavericks placed fourth in the RMAC Championships last season. CMU began to find some success late in the season after suffering a midseason swoon. After some competitive bouts against New Mexico Highlands and Adams State University, the men went on to finish 10th at NCAA Super Region 4 West/Regionals and 20th at the NCAA Championships.
Other returning wrestlers include juniors John Daniel, Kyle Kintz, Pat Romero, Tim Romero, seniors Michael McDaniel, TJ Lodermeier and transfer Eduardo Penha. Along with a number of sophomore and freshman, the collection of talent under Pipher is a reason the Mavericks are a team considered to compete at the top of the RMAC.
Along with Buhr and Tawater, if other Mavericks can win their matches, it could propel the team to new heights this season. Having a number of wrestlers who are winning the majority of their matches gives a team a great number of positive outcomes that can turn the tide later in the season.
An aspect of the regular season the Mavericks will hope to improve on is their play at neutral sites. CMU was 1-4 at neutral locations during last season.
The Mavericks recently held their annual Maroon and White dual where CMU wrestlers matched against one other in exhibition matches. Team White came out with more victories but Team Maroon won bonus points, giving them the 24-22 edge. Buhr showed off his pinning ability and put it to effect against Aaron Trygstad. Buhr pinned Trygstad just as the buzzer sounded for a dramatic finish, giving the team and fans a taste of what’s to come in Buhr’s senior season.
Fans can expect a rowdy and tenacious Maverick team this season. The pieces are in place for CMU to make moves in the RMAC and advance further than last season in NCAA Championship play.
CMU’s first meet will be at the Cowboy Open in Laramie, WY on Saturday, Nov. 3. The UNIWYO Sports Complex will play host to a number of teams. The Mavericks will return home for a duel meet at Brownson Arena against Cloud County CC on Thursday, Nov. 8.
