Tournament Central

GUNNISON, Colo.- The Newman wrestling team travels to Gunnison, Colo. Saturday for the 22nd Annual Tracy Borah Duals hosted by Western State College. The Jets are slated to face off against No. 20 Colorado State-Pueblo, Colorado Mesa, Western State and No. 19 (NJCAA) Western Wyoming CC.

Dual #1: Colorado Mesa (2-5) comes in off a strong showing at the Utah Valley Open in which four wrestlers placed in the 149, 157, 165 and 174 lb. divisions. The Mavericks faced wrestlers from tough Div. I schools including Boise State and Wyoming while also competing against Div. II No. 5 Grand Canyon and Western State. Colorado Mesa is receiving votes in the NCAA Div. II wrestling polls and have been ranked as high as No. 18 so far this season.

Dual #2: Western State (1-3) enters competition following a 1-2 showing at the Grand Canyon Duals in Phoenix, Ariz. The Mountaineers fell to No. 7 Grand Canyon and California Baptist but managed to pull out a 20-17 win over Simon Fraser. Western State nearly upset the then No. 5 ranked Grand Canyon squad but was deducted a point following an unsportsmanlike disqualification costing the Mountaineers the 19-18 dual loss. WSC recently had 14 wrestlers place at the Colorado Mesa Open including first place finishes by Jorge Benitez (165 lbs.), Matt Greene (133 lbs.) and Sam Mangum (197 lbs.).

Dual #3: Western Wyoming CC brings three nationally ranked junior college wrestlers into Saturday's competition including Scott Verner (157 lbs.) who received All American honors last year. In addition to Verner, Markos Serna (149 lbs.) and Ryley Argyle (184 bs.) hold national rankings and will look to make their mark for the Mustangs.

Dual #4: Colorado State-Pueblo (3-2) visits Gunnison after a 1-2 finish at the Grand Canyon Duals in Phoenix. The Thunderwolves secured a 19-18 win over Simon Fraser but fell to No. 7 Grand Canyon and California Baptist. CSUP recently had two wrestlers place in the Bob Smith Open hosted by Fort Hays State. Tim Urenda grabbed a fourth place finished in the 125lb. weight class while Jesse Hillhouse claimed 3rd place at 133 lbs. Hillhouse is currently ranked No. 5 in Div. II wrestling at 133 lbs.

Several Jets will have tough match ups Saturday. Mitch Arnold will look to continue his winning ways after posting a 3-0 record Wednesday at OCU. Arnold will face off against No. 7 (NJCAA) Markos Serna in the 141 lb. weight class. Zach Vann is set to wrestle Jesse Hillhouse, the fifth-ranked Div. II wrestler at 133 lbs. while Jake Hattabaugh and Tyler Hasenbank both face NJCAA ranked opponents.

The Jets will face Colorado Mesa at 9 a.m., Western State at 11 a.m., Western Wyoming CC at 1 p.m. and Colorado State-Pueblo at 3 p.m.

Participating Schools:
Air Force Academy (JV)
Colorado Mesa    
Colorado State-Pueblo    
Newman University
Southwest Minnesota State                
Western State                 
Western Wyoming CC

Following Saturday's competition the Jets will be back in action Wednesday Jan. 18 inside Fugate Gymnasium when they host Pratt CC. Action is set to begin at 7:30 p.m..