Gunnison, Colo. – Adams State men's wrestling opened the spring semester at the Western Colorado Open. The Grizzlies, led by Levi Deaguero and Kieran "Spesh" Thompson, competed Friday at the event.
At 165 pounds, Deaguero took home first place for the Grizzlies. He opened the day against Gavin Ramos of Colorado Mesa and took control from the start. With a takedown at 2:07, he never relented, winning by technical fall, 19-3, after securing five more takedowns.
In the second round, Deaguero defeated teammate Elijah Olguin by major decision, 12-2. The match was decided in the second period when Deaguero earned two penalty points and a takedown. Olguin never had a chance to gain control.
In the semifinals, Deaguero secured another major decision, defeating Mario Tafoya of CSU-Pueblo, 15-6. He controlled the match from the start, scoring the only points of the first two periods with two takedowns, an escape, and a near fall. Tafoya closed the gap in the third period with a reversal and a near fall, but Deaguero responded with an escape and a takedown to maintain his lead.
The final round proved to be much closer, with Deaguero defeating unattached wrestler Jackson Tribbett. No points were scored until the third period, when Deaguero recorded an escape, a takedown, and a point for riding time to secure the victory.
Thompson finished second for the Grizzlies at 149 pounds. He opened the day against John Finnegan of Colorado Mesa, winning by technical fall, 15-0.
In the quarterfinals, Thompson defeated Celestino Gonzales of Western Colorado by technical fall, 17-2, with Gonzales' only points coming from escapes. In the semifinals, Thompson edged Owen Cline of Colorado Mesa, 5-0, before falling in a heartbreaking overtime match against Kevin Boston of CSU-Pueblo, 6-3. Thompson and Boston ended regulation tied at three, but Boston secured a takedown with 1:10 left in overtime to win the match.
Zion Mares took fourth place wrestling at 125 pounds while Joseph Enockson took 3rd place at 133 pounds.
The Grizzlies will wrestle again tomorrow at the 34th Annual Tray Borah Duals hosted by Western Colorado. The Grizzlies will take on Newberry College at 10 a.m. and Simon Fraser University at 11:30 a.m.
