SAN FRANCISCO  Western Colorado University wrestling initiates its 2021-22 season on Friday evening in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) dual at San Francisco State University.

MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEK

• Western hosted its annual Crimson-Slate Intra-Squad dual on October 28, an event won by the Slate squad, 22-17.
• Victors at the intra-squad included Cody Fatzinger (125 pounds); Patrick Allis (133 lbs.); Alex Alvarez (141 lbs.); Jason Hanenberg (149 lbs.); Cole Mortensen (157 lbs.); Hunter Mullin (165 lbs.); Jimmy LaConte (174 lbs.); Cole Gray (184 lbs.); Ruger Wyneken (197 lbs.); and Sammy deSeriere.
• In the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season the Mountaineers finished in fifth place at the NCAA Division II Western Super Regional VI and via the scores at that regional, placed third in the RMAC final standings.
• Returners Allis (133 pounds) and Dean Noble (141 lbs.) were second in their respective weight classes at the regional, while Ryan Wilson (157 lbs.) finished third. Finishing in fourth place were Jason Hananberg (149) and Gray (184 lbs.).
• Allis would advance from Regionals to participate in the NCAA 2021 D-II national championship, where he finished in fifth place within the 133 lb. bracket. In preseason rankings for the 2021-22 season, Allis is ranked fourth nationally.

GOLDEN GATORS HEADING INTO THE WEEK

• SF State did not compete during the 2020-21 season, due to the pandemic, but the Gators were 7-9 overall in the 2019-20 campaign, including a 31-21 neutral-site loss to the Mountaineers on January 30, 2020.
• At the 2020 Regional, the Gators were eighth in the team standings, and crowned a Regional champion in Justin Pichedwatana at 184 pounds.
• Other top finishers at the Regional were Mason Boutain (fourth, 149 pounds), Aaron Perez (fifth, 125 lbs.), and Jeremy Huang (fifth, 165 lbs.).

MOUNTAINEER NOTES
Western was voted fourth in the RMAC preseason coaches poll, earning 34 points and one first-place vote.

Institution (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Colorado School of Mines (3)	42
2. Adams State (3)	40
3. Colorado Mesa (1)	39
4. Western Colorado (1)	34
5. Colorado State University Pueblo	24
6. Chadron State	21
7. San Francisco State	16
8. New Mexico Highlands	8