Mines vs. Otero JC [Live Video] [Live Results]
Mines at the Cowboy Open, Saturday, 9 a.m. [Live PPV Video]
 

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A NEW SEASON
Mines Wrestling will begin the 2018-19 season this week, hosting a home dual on Thursday against Otero JC before heading to Laramie for Wyoming's annual Cowboy Open tournament. The Orediggers will look for a fast start to the season against Otero JC a year removed from going 10-2 in dual meets.

WATCH US
Every home dual – and many away contests - this season will be streamed live on the RMAC Network at minesathletics.com/tv. Live results are also available through TrackWrestling. Saturday's Cowboy Open will be available on pay-per-view streaming from FloWrestling.

IN THE RANKINGS
Mines popped up in the NWCA preseason rankings, with Noah Au-Yeung earning the #6 spot at 133 pounds and Mines receiving votes towards the team top 25. Au-Yeung went 14-9 last year, qualifying for his first career NCAA Championships as a junior.

OTTUM EARNS PRESEASON RECOGNITION
Noah Ottum was picked as Preseason All-RMAC at 149 pounds earlier this month after a breakout freshman season saw him go 22-10 to co-lead Mines in wins. Ottum went 6-3 in duals with four majors, three falls, and three tech falls to generate 26 team dual points. In tournament action, Ottum was fifth at RMAC Championships and third at the Hastings Cusatis Open.

FAMILIAR FACES
The Orediggers figure to have a very competitive room this season as they return starting experience at nine weight classes as well as a number of experienced grapplers who redshirted the 2017-18 season. In addition to Ottum, Mines returns Jake Stogdill at 125, both NCAA qualifier Noah Au-Yeung and Jake Woods at 133, Lukas Erickson and Taylor Gambill at 141, Jack Damenti at 157, Keenan Willits at 165, TJ Shelton at 174, Connor Ventura at 184, Anthony Spallino and Brandon Saunders at 197, and Jake Feldman and Weston Hunt at 285. In addition, Mines has returning redshirts who have past starting experience in Robert Gambrell, Ben Krantz, Matt Lavengood, and Skyler Lykins.
 

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MINES PROBABLE LINEUP VS. OTERO JC
125 – Matt Lavengood (R-Sr.)
Redshirted last season, was 15-14 in 2016-17
133 – #6 Noah Au-Yeung (Sr.)
Returning NCAA qualifier … Ranked #6 by NWCA … Was 14-9 last year
141 – Lukas Erickson (Sr.)
Returning starter at 141 went 16-11 a year ago
149 – Noah Ottum (R-So.)
Preseason All-RMAC … Co-led Mines in wins last year at 22-10
157 – Skyler Lykins (R-So.)
Wrestling for first time since 2014-15 (25-11) after serving a mission trip and a redshirt last year
165 – Keenan Willits (R-Sr.)
Three-year captain was 17-4 last year as the 165 starter
174 – Robert Gambrell (R-Jr.)
Redshirted last season after going 23-8 in a breakout 2016-17 season
184 – TJ Shelton (R-So.)
Moves up to 184 after going 14-6 in his rookie season … Had seven pins
197 – Anthony Spallino (Jr.)
Returns at 197 after an 11-12 in his first season as a starter
285 – Weston Hunt (So.)
Went 20-10 as a true freshman in 2017-18 … Led Mines with eight falls