Box Score | Score Sheet

PUEBLO, Colo. (January 16, 2015) --  Adams State University traveled to face the Colorado State University-Pueblo ThunderWolves on Thursday night for the team's first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) bout of the season. The night was set for a big match as the two teams stood evenly toe-to-toe on paper. The Grizzlies, despite leading at times, ultimately fell, 22-14.
 
The night began with the 157lb weight class as Justin Samora (ASU) took on Stephen Kelly (CSUP). Kelly came out hot, shooting hard but Samora would ward off the advances and keep the match at a stand up throughout a scoreless first period. The second period began with Samora on top. Kelly would get a quick escape for one point, however 1:00 into the period, Samora would put together a strong sequence ending in what seemed to be a promising wrist control. Kelly would fight off Samora, however. The second period was paced just like the first, however with just 15 seconds left Samora would put together a nice fake leg shot, ending in a single leg take down for two points.  Kelly would begin the third period on top; he would gain a strong 30 seconds of riding time however Samora would eventually escape for a point. Kelly countered immediately with a relentless attack, shooting four straight times and nearly gaining a takedown. Samora, however, would roll through Kelly's final attempt at a takedown and gain ground out of bounds. Samora would hold off throughout the final period for a well-earned 3-1 victory. He would put ASU up 3-0 overall after the first match.
 
Next on the night's action was the 165lb division, as Mark Mabry, Jr. (ASU) was pitted against freshman sensation JaCobi Jones (CSUP). Mabry, a senior, began the match as though he would breeze past the young competition. However Jones showed promise and started the match with a quick takedown. Mabry countered by showing his experience by warding off points being awarded to Jones, Mabry held a strong ankle pick throughout the sequence and eventually escaped the near takedown. Later in the period Jones would gain a successful takedown only to be countered by an escape point earned by Mabry. The period ended with the two stalemating on the score board. As the second and third periods came and went, Jones would gain control of the score with numerous takedowns. Mabry would always gain the escape point but Jones would take the match, 8-3. This put the overall score at a tie between the two schools at 3-3.
 
The 174 weight division took to the mat next as junior Mario Garcia (ASU) was opposed by junior Allen Emmons (CSUP). Garcia wasted no time, gaining an early takedown within the first seconds of the match. Emmons was slow to escape and gained the one point move making it 2-1 within the opening moments of the matchup. With his slow escape, Garcia gathered up nearly 20 seconds of riding time early in the match. The second period opened with Garcia on bottom, where he would gain a fast escape point. The match was nearly even throughout the rest with Garcia riding out a firm 5-2 victory. This took the overall score to 6-3 in favor of ASU.
 
At 184, Joey Garcia (ASU) faced Riley Argyle (CSUP). The opening two minutes of the match were a standstill. It seemed as though the two were going to finish the opening round scoreless but late in the period Argyle struck with a blazing fast takedown for two. Garcia would gain the one point escape before time ran out. The second period started out exactly as the first with a slow paced beginning with Argyle gaining a speedy takedown, only to have Garcia gain the escape point. The match seemed one sided in this regard. Argyle seemed as though he was going to stall himself a victory. With only 10 seconds left in the third period and Garcia down three points, he made an outstanding effort to gain an unreal escape from Argyle's strong ride which Garcia turned into a three point maneuver by slamming Argyle with a relentless takedown. This flipped the script, creating a tied match as the final buzzer sounded. Argyle squeezed out the victory with a riding time point at the end of the match.  
 
Amer Tipura (ASU) took on Marcus Finau (CSUP) for the 197lb matchup. Tipura's 6-5 season record including three pins seemed highly touted compared to Finau's 0-2 record. As the matchup showed on paper, Tipura took hold of the matchup with authority. Essentially, Tipura had the reigns the entire bout. His takedowns seemed to add up quickly, as Finau was unable to counter with much. At one point, midway through the second period, Finau had control in a reverse standup. Attempting a big hip toss, Tipura turned the move into a strong counter to gain two points from what seemed to be a possible pin for Finau. Tipura's strong defense throughout the third period enabled him to keep hold of a 7-5 victory. This put the match to a 9-6 lead for the Grizzlies.
 
Austin Andrade (ASU) met Niko Bogojevic (CSUP) at the 285lb division. It marked the first match for Andrade this season. The low scoring affair was even through the final buzzer but it was Bogojevic who gathered the victory with a strong amount of riding time. Andrade showed promise, however, throughout the match.
 
Next on the mat pitted Jerry Huff (ASU) against Alex Baca (CSUP). Huff, who is ranked third in the country at 125, did not disappoint in the match. From the opening whistle to the ending tech fall, Huff dominated supremely. He recorded over 10 takedowns on his way to a large 24-9 victory.
 
At 141 Devin Vasquez (ASU) bouted with Tim Urenda (CSUP). Urenda, one of the ThunderWolves' more prominent wrestlers, showed everyone his prowess. Urenda gained mostly back points in a dominating match, however Vasquez put in an impressive effort to prevent giving up the pin. Urenda finished the match with a 13-2 win.
 
The Grizzlies continue play on the road this Saturday at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.