GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado's fledgling women's wrestling program got its season off on the right foot Sunday evening, dominating visiting Otero College, 44-1, in an exhibition dual at Paul Wright Gym.

The Mountaineers opened the dual with pins at 103 and 110 pounds.

Ariana Martinez surrendered the first four points in her bout at 103, but responded with the next eight points before finishing OC's Kalie Deherrera with a fall at 1:41 of the opening period.

Tessa Fortenbaugh was next on the mat at 110, going up 8-2 after the first period but surrendering her dominating position early in the second to Ariyah Alvarado, who put Fortenbaugh in a dangerous position.

Fortenbaugh flipped Alvarado, however, gained the advantage position and eventually earned the pin at 41 seconds into the second period.

Adding a third fall in the dual was Mary Snider at 207. In command from the start, she pinned Zahara Thompson in just 47 seconds.

The Mountaineers rang up technical falls from Alora Martinez at 124 (11-0), Hailey Chapman at 131 (10-0), Timberly Martinez at 145 (10-0), and Sarah Toribau at 160 (10-0).

Otero surrendered by forfeit the bouts against Keagan Edwards at 138 and Romie Uhrig at 180.

The longest match of the night was early on, at 117 pounds between Western's Ava Milliner and OC's Ylianna Garcia.

The pair advanced into the second period tied at 6-6, but Milliner controlled the period without surrendering a point to earn a 12-6 decision.

THEY SAID IT


UP NEXT
The Mountaineers will head to Grand Junction, Colo., for the Nov. 8 Maverick Open at Colorado Mesa University.