GUNNISON, Colo. – Saturday night's wrestling dual between Western Colorado University and Adams State University turned into an instant classic. After falling behind 13-3 at the midway point of the dual, Western completed the comeback and defeated ASU in dramatic fashion with a fall at 285 pounds.
 
After winning three-of-four bouts heading into the 285-pound match, Western (13-4, 5-1 RMAC) and Adams State (6-2, 5-2 RMAC) were tied at 16 points.
 
Onto the mat stepped Western's Sammy deSeriere. After earning a takedown and nearfall to begin the match 285-pound match, deSeriere took a 4-3 lead into the second period. ASU's James Romero began the period in the bottom position and quickly earned an escape to tie the bout at four points.
 
With 40 seconds left in the period, deSeriere threw Romero to his back, which brought all 313 fans in Paul Wright Gym to their feet. deSeriere stapled Romero to the mat, earning a fall and giving the Mountaineers a win over their rivals to the south as fans stormed the mat.
 
Western won four of the final five bouts, earning bonus points in all four wins.
 
The Mountaineers have now won 12 straight duals in Paul Wright Gym and have ended the home dual season with a perfect 6-0 record in Paul Wright Gym.
 
After falling behind 13-3 midway through Saturday's dual, Western was on the ropes.
 
Hunter Mullin got the Mountaineers back on track with a 9-1 major decision at 165 pounds. Mullin was behind 1-0 entering the third period, but an escape, takedown and two nearfalls in the final two minutes got the Red Tornado fans back into the dual.
 
Following Mullins win, Western trailed ASU 7-13.
 
Brandon Supernaw, ranked first at 174 pounds, followed Mullin with a 17-8 major decision after scoring eight points in the final period. Supernaw's win put the Mountaineers within striking distance, 11-13.
 
Western took the lead with a 17-2 technical fall by Konnor Schmidt at 184 pounds. Schmidt, ranked fifth at 184 pounds, defeated ASU's William Tyler in 5:13 to put the Mountaineers ahead 16-13.
 
The Grizzlies earned a decision at 197 pounds to tie the bout at 16 points.
 
Adams State opened the dual with two decisions at 125 and 133 pounds to take a 6-0 lead.
 
Tyler Hanenberg got the Mountaineers on the scoreboard, defeating Dylan Udero by 5-4 decision at 141 pounds.
 
ASU earned those three points back at 149 pounds, winning by decision before taking a 13-3 lead by earning a major decision at 157 pounds.
 
The Mountaineers have one more dual before the NCAA Division II Region IV Championships. Western will travel to Colorado Mesa University next Wednesday for the final dual of the season.