GRAND JUNCTION – Fresh off two wins over ranked teams, the No. 10 Adams State University wrestling team is set to finally open the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) portion of the season on Saturday when they travel to Colorado Mesa to take on the Mavericks.
The dual is set to start at 4 p.m with extra matches taking place simultaneously on a second mat. Only a select number of fans from the CMU community (faculty, staff, students) will be allowed, however, the dual will be live-streamed on the RMAC Network.
The Grizzlies, who defeated No. 12 Fort Hays State, 24-21, and No. 23 Newman University, 29-18, at the FHSU Dual Jamboree this weekend, are 2-0 on the season.
The Grizzlies were set to open RMAC action at home last Thursday, Jan. 7 against Chadron State but COVID-19 protocols prevented that. The Grizzlies were then set to travel to Gunnison to take on the Western Colorado Mountaineers on Friday, but they announced on Wednesday that due to COVID-19 protocols, the dual was postponed. Adams State is currently working with Chadron State and Western Colorado to reschedule those duals.
Colorado Mesa had a solid opening to the New Year by sweeping Newman (22-14) and Fort Hays State (22-21) last Saturday at the FHSU Dual Jamboree.
The Mavericks are led by a single ranked wrestler in redshirt junior Nolan Krone, who is a returning all-American at 184 pounds. The Henderson, Colo. native is 4-0 and is coming off his most impressive win of the short season after defeating No. 9 ranked Aryus Jones of Fort Hays State 8-2 on Saturday.
Adams State features one of the stoutest lightweight lineups in all of Division II with three of their first five weights ranked nationally. Not only are they ranked but they are all ranked in the top eight at 125, 133, and 149.
Isaiah DeLaCerda checks in at No. 8 at 125 pounds after he tallied two technical falls this past weekend followed by reigning RMAC Wrestler of the Week
Jonathan Andreatta ranked No. 3 at 133 pounds. He is coming off a weekend where he not only pinned the No. 2 ranked wrestler at 125 pounds in the first period but added another fall in the Newman dual in the first three minutes for good measure. Add in
Noah Hermosillo at 149 pounds and ranked No. 7 and the lineup is tough.
Khalil Gipson is the final ranked wrestler for Adams State, ranked No. 5 at 197 pounds where he will match up with returning NCAA National Qualifier Donnie Negus.
The Grizzlies are set to open the home portion of the season next Saturday, Jan. 30, when they host Colorado School of Mines at noon. Fans will not be allowed to attend the home dual, however, it will be streamed on the RMAC Network.
