The Mesa State wrestling team hosted Western State Thursday night in the Brownson Arena, but the home squad lost 27-15.
Mesa State had a few bright spots, winning the 157 lbs, 165 lbs, and 174 lbs weight classes. Mesa State also won the 285 lb. weight class because the Western State wrestler couldn’t make weight.
The night started off poorly for the Mavs. Mesa State’s Dan Romero faced Western State’s Kyle O’Brien in the 125 lb. class. O’Brien forced a takedown on Romero for the 5-3 win by decision. The 133 lbs weight class proved too much for Mesa State as Tyler Nelson was pinned by Western State’s Jesse Cruz.
Mesa State had to forfeit the 141 lb. weight match after a Mesa State wrestler did not make weight.
“We may need to rethink some things,” coach Chuck Pipher said about the 141 lb. class forfeiture.
The 149 lb. class ended up a win by decision for Western State’s Brandon Montoya over Trevor Donarski. After 4 matches, Western State had blanked Mesa State 15-0.
The next three matches would prove important for the Mavs. Mesa State’s Jon Gappmaier got a takedown against Justin Morris with one second left on the clock in the 157 lbs match to get a decision and three points for the Mesa State. In the 165 lb. and 174 lb. weight class, Chester Granard of Mesa State got the decision over Western’s Zach Frazier and Mesa State’s Zak Slotten got the narrow decision over Jorge Benitez of Western State.
“It was a good win for Zak,” coach Pipher said. “He is a redshirt freshman and would like him to open up more.”
The three wins would bring the score to 15-9 for Western State. The next two matches, however, proved to be too much for the Mavs. The 184 lb. weight class was dominated by Western’s Charlie Pipher, who is ranked No. 2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. He got the major decision against Kyle Brightman of Mesa State. The 197 lbs class would get no easier for Mesa State as No. 1 ranked Donovan McMahill of Western State got the technical fall against Korey Kennedy of Mesa State.
The 285 lb. weight class would go to Mesa State’s Trevor Stapp because the Western State wrestler did not make weight.
The Mavs will hit the mats once again at home Feb. 9 as they take on Grand Canyon University at 5.
jthomas@mesastate.edu