#18 Mines vs. New Mexico Highlands, Friday, 5 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Results]
#18 Mines vs. #25 San Francisco State, Friday, 7 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Results]
#18 Mines at #19 Chadron State, Sunday, 12 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Results]
 

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THIS WEEKEND
RMAC wrestling opens with three duals this weekend as #18 Mines hosts New Mexico Highlands and #25 San Francisco State on Friday, and then travels to #19 Chadron State on Sunday. Friday's schedule will have a tri-meet in Volk Gym as NMHU and SFSU grapple at 3 p.m. before Mines takes on NMHU at 5 p.m. and SFSU at 7 p.m. All meets will be streamed live on the RMAC Network and live results will be available on TrackWrestling.

LAST TIME OUT
Mines went 1-2 at the NWCA National Duals last weekend as they took part in a loaded field in Louisville, Ky. Mines fell to #6 Central Oklahoma, 28-7, to start before bouncing back with a 28-9 win over University of Mary before falling to #8 Upper Iowa 24-11. #12 Skyler Lykins was 3-0 on the day, including an upset of #6 Dayton Garrett (UCO) in the first match.
 
IN THE POLLS
Mines remained nationally ranked after a strong Midwest Classic showing, but slipped slightly to #18 from #13 in the latest NWCA national team rankings. Individually, Robert Gambrell was Mines' biggest individual mover, jumping to #3 at 174 pounds from #6. Skyler Lykins remained ranked at 165 at #12, down one spot, while Weston Hunt fell two spots to #7 at 285. As a team, Mines was #20 in preseason and #13 in the first regular-season poll. The next rankings will be released Jan. 22.

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE
As Mines opens RMAC competition, it does so as the defending champion for the first time ever. The Orediggers won their first RMAC title in the 96-year history of the program last year, going a best-ever 11-3 overall in duals and 6-1 in the RMAC.

SCOUTING NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS
The Cowboys are 2-2 after the Tracy Borah Duals last weekend, scoring impressive wins over #14 UNC-Pembroke 24-20 and #24 Findlay 26-21. NMHU takes on #19 Chadron State Thursday night before heading to Golden.

SCOUTING #25 SAN FRANCISCO STATE
The Gators are 7-3 overall and 1-1 in RMAC duals, beating #19 Chadron State 27-15 but losing to #11 Adams State 25-20 on Jan. 10 at home. They boast three ranked individuals with two in the lineup this weekend in #12 Maxamillian Schneider at 157 and #5 Justin Pichedwatana at 184.
 
SCOUTING #19 CHADRON STATE
The Eagles are 3-7 overall and 0-3 in the RMAC with losses to Western Colorado, Colorado Mesa, and San Francisco State; however, of their seven losses, five have come to nationally-ranked teams including D-I #5 Nebraska, NJCAA #1 Western Wyoming, and D-II #2 Nebraska-Kearney. CSC has ranked individuals at 133 (#9 Brandon Kile), 157 (#7 Chase Clasen), and 197 (#6 Wade French).

LEADING THE WAY
Two weeks into 2020, Mines has some familiar faces and some new ones leading the way. Anderson Salisbury leads the team in wins at 16-5 with Wes Rayburn second at 14-7 and Skyler Lykins third at 12-2. Lykins boats the team's best dual record (4-0) and dual points tally (14) as well as the top record versus D-II opponents (10-2). Salisbury leads the team in major decisions (4) and tech falls (4) while Aidan and Nolan Funk co-lead the team with four falls each. Carter Noehre owns the season's fastest fall at 0:23.

LOOKING AHEAD
The RMAC schedule continues for Mines as they visit #22 Colorado Mesa on Jan. 25.   
 

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MINES PROJECTED LINEUP
125 - Matt Lavengood (2-1)
133 - Jake Woods (7-5)
141 - Wes Rayburn (14-7) or Taylor Gambill (0-0)
149 - Noah Ottum (7-6) or Carter Noehre (4-2)
157 - Ryan Fidel (10-5)
165 - #12 Skyler Lykins (12-2)
174 - TJ Shelton (6-4) or Perry Rodenbeck (1-4)
184 - Anderson Salisbury (16-5) or Connor Ventura (0-3)
197 - Nolan Funk (9-7)
285 - #7 Weston Hunt (8-2) or Mike True (9-9)