Photo courtesy CMU Athletics

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - It was a battle at every weight class, but #16 Colorado Mesa edged out #21 Colorado School of Mines 19-12 in their dual meet on Sunday. 

The Mavericks (8-2, 3-0 RMAC) remained unbeaten in-conference with the victory, winning six weight classes. The Orediggers fell to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in RMAC duals.

Mines picked up wins thanks to West Rayburn, Jack Damenti, Anderson Salisbury, and Weston Hunt. Levi Farris also won in an exhibition bout. 

Christian Lopez had the only takedown in an aggressive performance at 125 pounds to start, but #5 Dawson Collins had two escapes and rode out the second period to earn riding time in a 3-2 win. Tyler Krause was also tough against a nationally-ranked opponent in #7 Collin Metzgar at 133, with Metzgar winning 3-0 on a third-period takedown. 

Mines got on the board with a dramatic 5-4 win by Rayburn over Erik Contreras at 141; following a third-period takedown and rideout, Rayburn led 5-4 after riding time was applied. Contreras nearly escaped at the buzzer but a video review denied that point, and another review for locking hands was not upheld to confirm Rayburn's win. Mesa picked up the first and only bonus point of the meet with Nick Gallegos' 13-5 major decision over Cody Thompson at 149 to lead 10-3, and Ryan Wheeler won 5-0 over Carter Noehre at 157 despite Noehre nearly getting a defensive pin late in the third.

That left Mines trailing 13-3 but Jack Damenti got three points back with his 6-3 win over Alex Holguin at 165, building his lead in the second period and earning riding time in the victory. Seth Latham's 4-2 win at 174 over Ryan Fidel extended CMU's lead, though, and after #11 Anderson Salisbury won 2-1 against Nolan Krone at 184, Perry Rodenbeck faced a must-win at 197 but #8 Donnie Negus was tough in a 5-2 win to clinch the dual.

#5 Weston Hunt's return to the mat ended in a late overtime takedown to defeat Kash Anderson 3-1 at heavyweight.

NEXT UP
The Orediggers will visit Chadron State Feb. 6 at 1 p.m.
 

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#16 Colorado Mesa 19, #21 Colorado School of Mines 12 [Scoring]

125: #5 Dawson Collins (CMU) over Christian Lopez (MINES), Dec. 3-2 
133: #7 Collin Metzgar (CMU) over Tyler Krause (MINES), Dec. 3-0
141: Wes Rayburn (MINES) over Erik Contreras (CMU), Dec. 5-4
149: Nick Gallegos (CMU) over Cody Thompson (MINES), Maj. Dec. 13-5
157: Ryan Wheeler (CMU) over Carter Noehre (MINES), Dec. 5-0
165: Jack Damenti (MINES) over Alex Holguin (CMU), Dec. 6-3
174: Seth Latham (CMU) over Ryan Fidel (MINES), Dec. 4-2
184: #11 Anderson Salisbury (MINES) over Nolan Krone (CMU), Dec. 2-1
197: #8 Donnie Negus (CMU) over Perry Rodenbeck (MINES), Dec. 5-2
285: #5 Weston Hunt (MINES) over Kash Anderson (CMU), Dec. 3-1 SV-1

174 EXTRA: Levi Farris (MINES) over Ben Robuck (CMU), Maj. Dec. 14-5