The University of Northern Colorado wrestling team opened its home schedule on Sunday with commanding victories in its three-dual meet.
UNC defeated Northeastern Junior College (44-6), Northwest Kansas Technical College (47-6) and New Mexico Highlands (49-0) at Bank of Colorado Arena.
“Overall, I think we started a little flat in the first match and then proceeded to get better throughout the day,” Bears coach Troy Nickerson said after the meet. “I’m very happy with our overall performance and the aggression of the guys who hit the mat. We are looking forward to a week off to recover and then start the second half of our season in Chattanooga.”
UNC lost just three bouts on the day. No. 8 Deegan Palmer of NEJC defeated freshman Otto Cat-Cribari (141 pounds) by fall. Then, freshman Kenny Silas (125) lost by decision to No. 2 Jett Stickenberger from Northwest Kansas. Finally, No. 6 Jameel Coles from NKTC edged freshman Branson Britten (184) by just two points.
Despite the loss, Britten added two wins on the day. He upset No. 4 Connor Davis (NEJC) by an 11-3 major decision.
Junior Jace Koelzer (133 pounds) competed in every dual of the day, going 3-0. Two of his wins came by major decision, including an upset over No. 5 Braden Mogle from NEJC.
Freshmen Aydin Rix-McElhinney (174) and Xavier Doolin (285) went undefeated in all three duals, as well. All of their victories came via pin or tech fall.
“I think we got 20 different guys in our lineup today, and it was a great opportunity for some of our younger guys to put on the singlet and compete in front of a home crowd,” Bears coach Troy Nickerson said after the meet.
Greeley’s Andrew Alirez did not participate, according to the final results.
UNC will take the holiday off and get back to action on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2 at the annual Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Last year, three Bears made the podium.
The Bears host California State-Bakersfield at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 for the next home dual.
Full Results
Northeastern Junior College (44-6)
- 125 Stevo Poulin (UNC) won by forfeit
- 133 Jace Koelzer (UNC) major dec. #5 Braden Mogle (NEJC), 13-4
- 141 #8 Deegan Palmer (NEJC) won by fall over Otto Cate-Cribari (UNC)
- 149 Benji Alanis (UNC) major dec. #7 Channing Warner (NEJC), 17-6
- 157 Roman Cruz (UNC) won by fall over TJ Moffit (NEJC), [T-2:30]
- 165 Hudson Cropp (UNC) major dec. Vince Beeson (NEJC), 10-0
- 174 Aydin Rix-McElhinney (UNC) won by fall over Gavin Kopp (NEJC), [T-3:30]
- 184 Branson Britten (UNC) major dec. #4 Connor Davis (NEJC), 11-3
- 197 Remington Peterson (UNC) major dec. Angel Fuentes (NEJC), 16-2
- 285 Xavier Doolin (UNC) won by fall over Riley Dean-Butt (NEJC), [T-:58]
Northwest Kansas Technical College (47-6)
- 125 #2 Jett Stickenberger (NWKTC) dec. Kenny Sailas (UNC), 9-2
- 133 Jace Koelzer (UNC) won by forfeit
- 141 Armando Garcia (UNC) won by fall over Casey Strand, Jr. (NWKTC), [T-3:45]
- 149 Chris Sandoval (UNC) won by fall over Lucas Hill (NWKTC), [T-2:30]
- 157 Nathan Moore (UNC) won by fall over #1 (149) Bryce Boumans (NWKTC), [T-1:42]
- 165 Baylor Fernandes (UNC) won by fall over Temuujin Mendbileg (NWKTC),
- 174 Aydin Rix-McElhinney (UNC) won by tech. fall Jonathan Carr (NWKTC), 23-7 [T-5:37]
- 184 #6 Jameel Coles (NWKTC) dec. Branson Britten (UNC), 10-8
- 197 Franklin Cruz (UNC) won by fall over Jayshon Hones (NWKTC)
- 285 Xavier Doolin (UNC) won by fall over Jared Volcic (NWKTC), [T-:39]
New Mexico Highlands (49-0)
- 125 Moses Santiago (UNC) dec. Rhys Sellers (NMH), 8-6
- 133 Jace Koelzer (UNC) major dec. Julius Kohn (NMH), 14-1
- 141 Armando Garcia (UNC) won by fall over Joe Misitano (NMH), [T-3:53]
- 149 Eyan Chavez (UNC) won by fall over Decklyn MIller (NMH), [2:48]
- 157 Cameron Lucero (UNC) won be tech. fall over Evan Killgore (NMH), 30-15 [T-6:38]
- 165 Baylor Fernandes (UNC) won by fall over Collin Brown (NMH), [T-:44]
- 174 Aydin Rix-McElhinney (UNC) won by tech. fall over Thomas Tolbert (NMH), 22-5 [T-2:30]
- 184 Branson Britten (UNC) won by tech. fall over Lance Killgore (NMH), 18-0 [T-2:37]
- 197 Xavier Vasquez (UNC) major dec. Jayden Johnson (NMH), 10-0
- 285 Xavier Doolin (UNC) won by fall over Kioni Benally (NMH), [T-:35]
