GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University wrestling Head Coach Miles Van Hee became the school's all-time leader in wins on Saturday at the 27^th Tracy Borah Duals. The Mountaineers went 3-1 at the duals, giving Van Hee 177 dual victories during his 20 years at the helm of the Western program.
 
It was only fitting that Van Hee would earn this distinction at the Tracy Borah duals. The coach Van Hee surpassed was Tracy Borah and his 176 dual victories.

"A lot of support and people behind the scenes have gone into (breaking the record)," Van Hee said. "I've been fortunate to be surrounded by great coaches, great wrestlers and a great community."
 
After earning a 36-13 victory over Minnesota State University – Mankato to open the duals, Van Hee tied Borah after defeating Southwest Minnesota State University 37-7 in the second dual of the day.
 
The Mountaineers fell to the Air Force Academy 31-9 before Western helped Van Hee break the record with a 30-21 win over Simon Fraser University.
 
Ronald Wardleigh, at 125 pounds, set the tone in the first dual against Mankato, winning the first match of the day by technical fall, 21-2. 133-pounder, Tyler Hanenberg, followed with the first fall of the day for the Mountaineers. Hanenberg pinned Mankato's Paul Selman at the 4:26 mark of his match.
 
Wardleigh would earn 23 team points for the Mountaineers. The 125-pounder earned falls against Southwest Minnesota State, Air Force Academy and Simon Fraser University.

"It's always great when you get the lightweight to go out and get the dual started right," Van Hee remarked about Wardleigh's performance. "That's the sparkplug for the team."
 
Western earned two more falls against Mankato. Shawn Beiriger at 157 pounds and Brandon Supernaw at 165 pounds each earned the fall, giving Western a 23-3 lead. Mick Dougharity added six more points at 197 pounds, winning by medical forfeit.
 
In the Mountaineers' second dual of the day, Western took care of business against Southwest Minnesota State University. Four Mountaineers, including Wardleigh earned falls in the second dual of the day, helping lead Western to a 37-7 victory.
 
At 174 pounds, Brendan Gonzales earned a fall in the first period against SMSU, while teammates Mick Dougharity at 197 pounds and Mike Henry at 285 pounds, each earned falls as well.
 
The only team loss of the day came against Air Force in the third dual of the day for the Mountaineers. Wardleigh and 184-pounder, Konnor Schmidt, were the only Mountaineers to come away with victories against the Falcons. Wardleigh earned a fall, while Schmidt came away with a 3-2 decision.
 
The Mountaineers rebounded against Simon Fraser in the final dual of the day. Western earned two falls and two forfeits to propel them to victory. Wardleigh earned his third pin of the day, this time in 55 seconds. Joining him with a fall was 165-pounder Brandon Supernaw. Supernaw recorded his fall in 1:30.
 
Western was one of three teams to win three matches. Colorado Mesa University and the Air Force Academy each added three wins. CMU and the AFA were scheduled to wrestle in the final round of duals but both declined.
 
For a complete look at all the results from the 27^th Tracy Borah Duals, head over to the tournament headquarters on GoMountaineers.com.
 
The Mountaineers will continue the season next Saturday at the University of Nebraska – Kearney Midwest Duals.