GOLDEN, Colo. Western Colorado wrestling sent a group of its Mountaineer wrestlers to Sunday's Colorado School of Mines Rookie Open, with redshirts and rookies taking to the mat. 

Hunter Richardson posted a pair of wins in the 184-pound bracket, reaching the semifinal round where he was defeated by an opponent from Western Wyoming College. 

Richardson opened with a first-period pin over a New Mexico Highlands wrestler, then scored a 16-2 major decision over a Colorado Mesa Maverick in the quarterfinals. 

His route to the championship ended in the semis, but he earned a third-place finish for Western's highest placing at the event. 

Also winning their opening matches were Isaac Chavarria and Tyson Irby-Brownson. 

Chavarria dropped his first opponent with a second period pin, but was pushed into the consolation bracket after a loss in his second match. He advanced with a first period pin, then moved forward with a second period pin, but his day ended in Chavarria's next bout. 

Irby-Brownson added to Western's bonus-point wins on the day with a second period fall in his opening match. He lost an 8-1 decision, though, in his next to get moved into the consolation bracket where his day would end with a loss by a major decision. 

Kelvin Casasola and Erik Anderson were both in the 174 bracket, but each wrestler's stay ended with losses in their second matches. 

NEXT UP 

The Mountaineer varsity, ranked 16th nationally in Division II by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, will host New Mexico Highlands in Paul Wright Gym on Friday for a 6 p.m. Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference duel.