Golden, Colo. –– The Adams State Grizzlies sent a small group of wrestlers to the Colorado School of Mines Rookie Open today. The event features first-year wrestlers from a range of schools, from NCAA Division I to NJCAA.

Levi Deaguero led the way for the Grizzlies, wrestling at 174 pounds. He placed third after defeating Sam May from Western Wyoming by major decision, 15-6. Deaguero lost only one match on the day, falling to Mike Avelar of Air Force in the semifinals by a 6-5 decision.

Ronan Melani also reached the podium for Adams State, finishing in eighth place after a 9-6 decision loss in the seventh-place match for the 285-pound weight class. After dropping his opening match to Winston McBride of Wyoming, Melani battled through the consolation bracket, finishing 3-2 on the day.

Aiden Burke, wrestling at 149 pounds, won his opening match by technical fall over Airoughn Morris of Northeastern Junior College before losing his next two matches, finishing 1-2 on the day.

Aaron Zamora, Ku Chow, and Daniel Long each lost their opening matches but went on to finish 1-2 for the day.

Adams State wrestling will take two weeks off before heading to the Younes Hospitality Open hosted by University of Nebraska-Kearney Nov. 23.