GUNNISON --- The defending RMAC champion Western Colorado wrestling team came out strong in its title defense as the Mountaineers defeated No. 24 Chadron State 28-13 Thursday night in front of a rowdy crowd at Paul Wright Gym.

WCU (1-0 overall, 1-0 RMAC) started the dual strong with Patrick Allis winning a major decision over Tate Stoddard 14-4. After Chadron State (1-2, 0-1) tied it up after the 133s, that's when the Mountaineers started building distance between themselves and the Eagles.

WCU's Jason Hanenberg, ranked sixth at 141, pinned CSC's Joseph Ritzen in the second period and freshman Giovanni Cassioppi followed it up with a fall in the opening period of his first collegiate dual, pinning Caleb Haskell in 2 minutes, 16 seconds, to give the Mountaineers a 16-4 lead.

The Eagles cut the lead to 16-7 after the 165s, but WCU's Michael Thelen won arguably the most exciting and physical match of the night as he defeated Tate Allison with a takedown in the first overtime to win 4-2 and increase the WCU lead back to 12 at 19-7.

Jimmy LaConte at 174 for the Mountaineers trailed 4-2 after the first period before turning it around in the second, getting the fall at the 4:45 mark over Gavin Eason. At 184, Ruger Wyneken rallied from a 8-3 deficit after the first period to beat CSC's Terry Winstead 10-8 - thanks in large part to an escape and a takedown in the third period and holding on to pick up the riding time point.

It's the 12th time in the last 13 meetings the Mountaineers have defeated Chadron State as WCU owns a 21-7-1 edge on the Eagles in the all-time series.

The Mountaineers travel to Grand Junction on Saturday to compete in the Colorado Mesa Open.

BOX SCORE
Western Colorad 28, Chadron State 13
125: Patrick Allis (WCU) over Tate Stoddard (CSC) (MD 14-4) 133: Brandon Kile (CSC) over Colby Duncan (WCU) (MD 11-0) 141: Jason Hanenberg (WCU) over Joseph Ritzen (CSC) (Fall 4:56) 149: Giovanni Cassioppi (WCU) over Caleb Haskell (CSC) (Fall 2:16) 157: Chase Clasen (CSC) over James Steerman (WCU) (Dec 8-3) 165: Michael Thelen (WCU) over Tate Allison (CSC) (SV-1 4-2) 174: Jimmy LaConte (WCU) over Gavin Eason (CSC) (Fall 4:45) 184: Ruger Wyneken (WCU) over Terry Winstead (CSC) (Dec 10-8) 197: Wade French (CSC) over Kris Davis (WCU) (Dec 10-9) 285: Mason Watt (CSC) over Logan Church (WCU) (Dec 4-0)