ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Wrestling team is set to compete in its first set of dual of 2018-19 season this weekend. The Grizzlies will host of pair of RMAC opponents to open up dual competition.
OPPONENTS
Colorado School of Mines Orediggers (5-0, 3-0 RMAC)
Chadron State College Eagles (2-2, 0-1 RMAC)
WHEN
Friday, Jan. 4 - 6 p.m. vs. Colorado School of Mines
Saturday, Jan. 5 - 2 p.m. vs. CSC
WHERE
Alamosa, Colo. - Plachy Hall Gym
Mat Points
• The Grizzlies are back on the mats for the first time in nearly three weeks as they get set for their first duals of the season.
• Adams State was last in action on Dec. 15-16 at Midwest Classic. The team finished 18th overall in the 39 team field and had a pair of placewinners.
• The Grizzlies may be competing in their first duals of the year, but have already seen action on the mats thanks in part to five tournaments. In that span they tallied 10 total placewinners.
• Following the two home duals, Adams State will head to Gunnison, Colo. for the Western Colorado Open on Friday, Jan. 11 and the Tracy Borah Duals (WCU hosts) on Saturday, Jan. 12.
• Entering this weekend, Adams State continues to receive votes in the latest NWCA Top-25 poll. Darek Huff is the only ranked grappler as he is fifth at 133 pounds in Division II.
• The Grizzlies will likely have a full lineup entering this weekend's duals. The majority has seen mat action in tournaments from earlier this season.
• Isaiah De La Cerda, Huff, and Dylan Udero will look to create the momentum for the lighter weight classes. De La Cerda is expected to start at 125 pounds, while Huff and Udero are slated for the 133 pound and 141 pound starts, respectively.
• In the middle of the Grizzlies lineup, Ryan Rochford and Koery Windham will likely get the starts at 157 pounds and 165 pounds, respectively.
• In the heavier weight classes, Isaac Lopez (174), William Tyler (184), and Khalil Gipson (197) will look to solidify the back end of the lineup the home opener.
Last Time Out • Midwest Classic (Two Placewinners)
• Adams State Wrestling had a solid showing at 40th annual Midwest Classic as the Grizzlies had two of their three grapplers earn a podium finish. Leading the way was Huff who placed second at 133 pounds.
• Huff finished the Midwest Classic with an overall record of 4-1. He went 3-0 on day one of the tournament and followed it up a 1-1 performance to finish second overall. All four of his wins at the Midwest Classic came by way of decision.
• Udero was the only other placewinner as he finished eighth overall at 141 pounds. He left the Midwest Classic with a 4-3 record. Three of his wins were decisions while the other came by way of pinfall. As a a team, Adams State scored 40.5 points to place 18th in the field of 39 schools.
Scouting Colorado School of Mines
• The Orediggers are the only undefeated team left in the RMAC as they are 5-0 overall and 3-0 against conference foes.
• Mines already has two duals wins over ranked opponents taking down Then No. 13 Chadron State and No. 9 Western Colorado. Dating back to the 2017-18 season, Mines has won four straight duals over ranked opponents.
• Robert Gambrell leads the way for the Orediggers with a team-best record of 8-. Noah Au-Yeung and Ryan Fidel are not far behind as both have totaled seven wins apiece entering this weekend.
• Colorado School of Mines is receiving votes in the latest NWCA Top-25 rankings following its 5-0 start to the season in dual competition. Au-Yeung is the only wrestler ranked at 12th in the 133-pound weight class.
Scouting Chadron State
• The Eagles have an even 2-2 record entering the weekend and are 0-1 in RMAC dual action.
• CSC's two dual wins this season have come against San Francisco State and Northeastern Junior College.
• Brandon Kile has been the top grappler for the Eagles as he is coming off an eighth place finish at the Midwest Classic back in mid-December.
• Looking to help make an impact in the lineup as well are Wade French at 197 pounds and Rulon Taylor at 285 pounds. French was able to make day two of the Midwest Classic and was one spot out of a podium finish. Taylor has provided a spark at heavyweight for the Eagles and looks to solidify the bottom half of the lineup as the closer.
• CSC started the year ranked in the top-25 at 21st but have since fallen out of the rankings following a 2-2 start in dual competition.
Adams State Probable Lineup
125: Isaiah De La Cerda
133: Darek Huff
141: Dylan Udero
149: Noah Hermosillo
157: Ryan Rochford
165: Koery Windham
174: Isaac Lopez
184: William Tyler
197: Khalil Gipson
285: James Romero OR Sylvester Montgomery
Up Next
• Following the two home duals, the Grizzlies will head down the road to Gunnison for the Western Colorado Open on Friday, Jan. 11. Mat action is set to begin at 2 p.m.
• The next day, Saturday, Jan. 12 Adams State will remain at Western Colorado for the Tracy Borah Duals. They will face three teams with action getting started at 9 a.m.
