GUNNISON, Colo. – On Thursday night in Gunnison, the nation will find out How The West Was Won. No. 16 Western State Colorado University wrestling will play host to Western Slope rival No. 11 Colorado Mesa University at 7 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym.
 
Fans are encouraged to "pack the house" for this Operation Red event. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a free Operation Red t-shirt. Also, all Western faculty and staff will receive free admission to the dual. In addition, all students K-8^th grade can enter free of charge with an accompanying adult (at the discounted price of $3).
 
Western (5-2, 2-0 RMAC) is ranked 16^th in the national poll and fourth in the region. The Mountaineers are undefeated in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference duals, having defeated No. 12 California Baptist University and No. 20 Colorado State University – Pueblo earlier this season.
 
Individually, Western has one wrestler ranked nationally in the top eight of their weight class and five ranked regionally in the top six of their respective weight classes. Corbin Bennetts (Sr., Buena Vista, Colorado) is ranked seventh nationally at 141 pounds, and second regionally.
 
Also ranked in the region are Western wrestlers Ronald Wardleigh (Jr., Plain City, Utah), fourth at 125 pounds; Zach Shank (Jr., Olathe, Colorado) fourth at 133 pounds; Travis Bradford (So., Houston, Texas) second at 165 pounds; and Austin Harris (Sr., Windsor, Colorado) second at 174 pounds.
 
CMU (4-1, 2-0 RMAC) has three wrestlers ranked nationally and seven regionally. The Mavericks' nationally ranked wrestlers are at 141 pounds, 149 pounds, and 165 pounds.
 
The Mountaineers will follow Thursday night's dual with another on Friday night against Colorado School of Mines. That dual will also get underway at 7 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym.
 
CSM (6-1, 0-1 RMAC) is coming off three wins at the University of Nebraska – Kearney Midwest Duals last weekend. Paul Wilson is the lone Oredigger wrestler ranked nationally. Wilson is ranked sixth at 197 pounds.
 
Fans unable to attend either dual will be able to follow all the action live over the internet. Live results will be posted on TrackWrestling.com and a live video stream will also be available by clicking the links above. Fans can also receive live updates by following the Twitter accounts of Western Athletics (@WSCUMountaineer) and Western Wrestling (@wscuwrestling).

Probable Lineup for the Colorado Mesa and Colorado School of Mines duals
  
Wt.        Wrestler                           Yr.         Hometown / Previous School                            Overall (Falls)   RMAC (Falls)
125         Ronald Wardleigh          Jr.         Plain City, Utah / Fremont HS                                           7-4 (4)                 2-0 (1)
 
133           Zane Rich                          So.         Syracuse, Utah / Syracuse HS                                    8-10 (2)          0-0 (0)
 
141         #7 Corbin Bennetts      Sr.         Buena Vista, Colo. / Buena Vista HS                               6-0 (0)                 2-0 (0)
 
149         Tyler Adams                     Jr.          Rancho Santa Margra, Calif. / Tesoro HS                     7-11 (2)                0-2 (0)
 
157         Ian Steen                          So.         Del Norte, Colo. / Del Norte HS                                       4-8 (3)                 0-2 (0)
 
165         Travis Bradford              So.         Houston, Texas / Saint Thomas HS                               14-11 (1)               2-0 (0)
 
174         Austin Harris              Sr.         Windsor, Colo. / Windsor HS                                           23-6 (4)                1-1 (1)
 
184         Brandon Supernaw     RFr.        Colorado Springs, Colo. / Doherty HS                            4-3 (1)                 2-0 (1)
 
197         Mick Dougharity             Jr.          Damascus, Ore. / Oregon State                                     11-10 (5)               1-1 (0)
 
HWT      Lewis Arendall                Fr.         Peoria, Ariz. / Centennial HS                                             0-7 (0)                 0-2 (0)
Or           Andy Armstrong            So.         Gypsum, Colo. / Eagle Valley HS                                      1-3 (0)                 0-0 (0)