Mines at the Younes Hospitality Open [MIAA Network] [Live Results]
Saturday - 9 a.m. CT - Kearney, Neb.

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OREDIGGERS VISIT UNK FOR YOUNES HOSPITALITY OPEN
Off to a 2-0 dual start, Colorado School of Mines heads to Nebraska this weekend for one of the nation's largest single-day tournaments, the Younes Hospitality Open hosted by Nebraska-Kearney at the new Kearney Sportsplex. The large multi-mat tournament has expanded this year to three divisions - Elite, Intermediate, and Amateur - with wrestling starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.

FAN INFO & LIVE COVERAGE
The Younes Hospitality Open will stream live on the MIAA Network (pay-per-view), with brackets and results on FloWrestling. Tickets to the event are available from UNK.

LAST WEEK REWIND
Mines opened its RMAC season with a hard-earned 20-14 win over New Mexico Highlands last Friday, sparked by Wyatt Reisz's major decision at 174, Mason Diel's win at 184, and Laith Ibrahim's winner-take-all major to end the meet at 285 pounds. None of the first six bouts were won by more than three points as the two found themselves knotted 9-9 after 165 pounds. Ryan Espiritu, Cody Thompson, and Marcus Caro also picked up wins for the Orediggers.

IN THE RANKINGS
Cody Thompson and Laith Ibrahim appeared in the NWCA preseason rankings as both wrestlers come off season-ending injuries in the 2024-25 campaign. Thompson, the 2024 NCAA Division II finalist at 149 pounds, debuted at #3, while Ibrahim, who was 10-3 before his 2025 season ended, is ranked #10 at heavyweight. This week's OpenMat rankings have Thompson #2 and Ibrahim #9 (up two spots from last week) while also including Jakob Smith at #13 at 165 and Wyatt Reisz at #12 at 174 (also up two spots).

Mines was selected third in the preseason RMAC coaches' poll on Oct. 15, trailing Colorado Mesa and Adams State in a tight top three spots. Jakob Smith and Wyatt Reisz - both all-RMAC selections a year ago - were recognized as Preseason All-RMAC picks.

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE
The Orediggers won the outright RMAC championship in 2024-25 with a perfect 7-0 RMAC dual schedule. It marks the third title for the Orediggers, all coming since 2019 under RMAC Coach of the Year Austin DeVoe. Mines was well-rewarded for their title win in the RMAC's postseason honors, as Jakob Smith earned First-Team All-RMAC honors at 165 pounds while four Orediggers took Second-Team All-RMAC accolades: Christian Lopez (125 lbs.), Grayston DiBlasi (141 lbs.), Wyatt Reisz (174 lbs.), and Ryan Cody (197 lbs.) in addition to DeVoe's major award.

LEADING THE WAY
Cody Thompson enters the weekend as Mines' active leader in career win at 51-17, while Wyatt Reisz, who ended his sophomore year in his first NCAA Championships appearance, is 45-14. Kaleb Valdez-Lemos is pacing Mines in victories early this season at 6-0, with Brandon Cody at 5-0. Cade Whish is Mines' active pins leader with 11 among his 28 career victories at 285 pounds.

AT THE HELM
Head Coach Austin DeVoe is in his 12th season in charge of the Mines Wrestling program, having rebuilt the Orediggers into a national contender with three RMAC titles, eight all-Americans, and eight Academic All-Americans in his tenure. With 91 dual wins under his belt, Mines has had seven consecutive winning dual seasons including the only three double-digit win seasons in program history, including tying the program wins record in 2022-23 with an 11-2 record and surpassing it with 13 in 2024-25. On the national stage, Mines has had team success as well including an 11th-place finish in 2022 which was the program's best finish since the 1990s. 

NCAA ADDS NEW FRESHMAN RULE
Starting this season, NCAA Division II wrestling programs (and all D-II sports) will be able to have their true freshmen compete in up to 30 percent of their contests without losing a season of eligibility. Previously, only football had that option at the Division II level. The rule change opens up exciting opportunities for young wrestlers, and Mines has already made good use of it as first-year freshmen Ryan Espiritu, Nico Farinola, Jake Goodin, Gunner Samora, Hunter Samora, Coen Schmidt, and Cain Tigges competed at the Mines Rookie Open and several more are set to wrestle this weekend.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Orediggers will visit Fort Hays State for a three-way meet with the Tigers and Ouachita Baptist on Dec. 6, then stay in Hays for the FHSU Bob Smith Open on Dec. 7.