GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado wrestling, ranked 16th in the National Wrestling Coaches Association preseason Division II poll, lived up to that billing in its season opener Friday night, shutting out visiting Northeastern Junior College, 52-0, on Flannel Friday at Paul Wright Gym.

The Mountaineers rung up bonus point wins, including five pins, in all 10 matches.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Roberto Estrada got the fans on their feet before they had a chance to warm up their seats, pinning NJC's Cade Liniger just 105 seconds into the opening period of the 125-pound match.
• The Mountaineer lead doubled to 12-0 at 133 when Devin Gomez, leading 5-0, put his opponent on his back 1:09 into the second period to register a second pin for the home team.
• While the 141-pound match went the distance, the final score was a dominant 15-1 major decision for Eyan Chavez.
• Dean Noble, ranked fifth nationally at 149, was underneath NJC's Silas Thompson and tied 8-8 late in the third period but Noble pulled a reversal and finished it off with a pin with three seconds left in the match.
• Vincent Cabral followed with a 15-6 major at 157 before Walker Heckendorf at 165 scored a first-period fall to up the Western advantage to 32-0.
• Ranked third nationally at 174, Cole Hernandez used five takedowns and notched a near fall in the third period to post a 23-7 technical fall before Hunter Richardson posted the shortest match of the night, pinning his Plainsmen opponent in just 49 seconds.
• Sage Harrison added a second-period tech fall (18-1) at 197, and heavyweight Riley Butt closed out the match with a 16-5 major.

UP NEXT

• Western's reserves and redshirts will hit the mat Sunday morning at the Colorado School of Mines Rookie Open.
• The varsity will be back at Paul Wright Gym Friday, Nov. 8 for a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference dual with New Mexico Highlands University.