KEARNEY, Neb. – Western State Colorado University wrestling continued its dominance Saturday at the Midwest Duals. The Mountaineers went 3-1 on the day, with the only loss coming against the hosts, No. 12 University of Nebraska – Kearney.
No. 17 Western faced Fort Hays State University in the first dual of the day on Saturday. After a forfeit by the Tigers at 125 pounds, FHSU won the following bouts to take a 13-6 lead.
The Mountaineers came back and won the following five matches to regain control, 25-13. FHSU won the 285 pound match to finish the dual with a 25-18 loss.
Michael Thelen (165 pounds),
Brandon Supernaw (174 pounds), and
Brendan Gonzales (184 pounds) each won by decision against FHSU.
Konnor Schmidt (197 pounds) earned a fall, while
Shawn Beiriger (157 pounds) won by major decision against the Tigers.
In the next dual, four Mountaineers earned wins against UNK.
Trenton Piatt (125 pounds) earned his first of three pins on the day, while
Ryan Pellow (165 pounds) and Supernaw each won by decision. Schmidt won by major decision, but the Lopers came away with a 26-16 win.
Supernaw's decision came in sudden victory over No. 12 ranked Zach Stodden.
Western's third dual came against Northern State University. The Mountaineers won 8-of-12 matches against the Wolves, earning bonus points in six of those bouts.
Piatt,
Colby Duncan (133 pounds),
Jody Sandoval (141 pounds) set the tone by winning the first matches of the dual by pin to take a 18-0 lead.
Sammy deSeriere at 285 pounds also earned a pin against the Wolves. Beiriger won his match by major decision, while Gonzales and
Ben Price (197 pounds) each won by decision. Pellow earned six points winning by forfeit.
In the final dual of the night, Western faced No. 22 University of Mary. Piatt once again started the dual with a pin, giving the Mountaineers a 6-0 advantage.
The Marauders would take control of the dual, 10-6, after winning the following two matches.
However,
Justin Chenoweth (149 pounds) and
Jason Slaughter (157 pounds) won both their bouts by decision to retake the dual in favor of Western, 12-10.
A pin for NSU at 165 pounds put the Wolves back in contention with a 16-12 lead.
The Mountaineers would then rattle-off four straight wins to take the dual 31-16. Supernaw and
Ladd Bunker (184 pounds) each won by major decision before Price earned a fall and deSeriere won by technical fall.
Western will return home for a dual against Colorado School of Mines next Friday, Jan. 19 in Paul Wright Gym on Community night.
