GUNNISON, Colo.  There is no dual more important than this one for the Western Colorado wrestling team, as they will take on rival Colorado Mesa University on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 6p.m., for a chance at being co-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Champions – sharing the title with Mesa and Colorado School of Mines.

The last time the Mountaineers saw the Mavericks things didn't go Western's way suffering a 33-6 loss in Brownson Arena in Grand Junction. Jason Hanenberg (149) and Hunter Mullin (165) were the only Mountaineers to win their match in their dual.  

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MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND

• While things didn't go well the last time Western faced Colorado Mesa, this is a completely different team who has caught fire and been wrestling like Mountaineers. Western has won their last six duals – losing to Mines to kick off RMAC league play – and will look to make it seven straight wins.
• The Mountaineers are coming off a dominant performance against Chadron State (Feb. 11) where they won 43-9, winning all but two matches in the dual.
• Alex Alvarez (133), Cole Hernandez (174) and Sammy deSeriere (285) dominated their opponents, each earning a fall victory. The same could be said about Ryan Wilson's (157) match as he earned a 12-3 major decision victory.
• Hanenberg, Mullin and Cole Gray (184) didn't get to wrestle against the Eagles, due to Chadron State having injuries at those weight classes.

MAVERICKS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND

• Colorado Mesa sits atop of the RMAC, not having lost a single RMAC league dual this season. Recently they defeated Adams State 23-12 (Feb. 4) and Chadron State 38-6 (Feb. 10).
• Currently the Mavericks are ranked No. 16 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association and have three wrestlers ranked individually in their weight class.
• Dawson Collins (125) is ranked No. 5, Collin Metzgar (133) is ranked No. 7 and Donnie Negus (197) is ranked No. 8.

ON THE MAT NEXT
Following the conclusion of this dual the Mountaineers will turn their focus to the NCAA Regional tournament which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 26 in Grand Junction. Western will be competing in the super region 6 bracket.