GRAND JUNCTION Colo.  There are only a few rivalries that can rival the one between Western and Colorado Mesa. On Thursday, that rivalry will be renewed as the Mountaineers will look to increase their win streak against the Mavericks to three matches.
 
MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND

• Western has the edge over the Mavericks in the head-to-head matchup, winning the last two matches (25-24, 24-20). The Mountaineers also have won six out of the last ten, and have a 5-4 road record.
• In their last meeting on Thursday, Dec. 10, Sammy deSeriere (heavyweight) helped Western come away with the win, by pinning Gabriel Carranza in the final match.
• Jason Hanenberg (149), Tannen Kennedy (157), Cole Mortensen (157) and Cole Hernandez (174) also played a huge part in the win, helping the Mountaineers go on a 19-0 run after they trailed 12-0 to start the match.
• Western is coming off a tough 44-3 loss to a strong opponent in Air Force. Jimmy LaConte (174) earned the lone points by an 8-6 decision victory.

MAVERICKS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND

• Colorado Mesa currently sits at 1-0 on the season, after defeating Dixie State University 38-12 (Nov. 14).
• At the Younes Hospitality Open (Nov.20), the Mavericks had 10 placers including a champion in the 197-pound weight class.
• Donnie Negus was the champion for Colorado Mesa, while Dawson Collins (125) and Nick Gallegos (149) had the next best finishes each finishing in third place. Collins lost to Cody Fatzinger in the semifinals (9-7), and Gallegos lost to Hanenberg (3-2) in the semifinals.

ON THE MAT NEXT
The Mountaineers will be on the road again when they step onto the mat on Saturday. Dec. 18, competing in the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind., which will take place over the course of two days.