Mountaineers climb over Eagle wrestlers

The Chadron State College Eagle wrestlers were delivered a tough blow Saturday as they competed against the Western State Colorado University Mountaineers, Gunnison.

The Eagles lost the home meet 35-6. Western won 8 of 10 matches.

Chance Helmick, freshman of Beatrice, 165-pounds, and Caleb Copeland, sophomore of Bennett, Colorado, 174-pounds, were both able to bag a decision against the stiff competition.

“I knew this was big for the regional tournament, and I knew it was a win I needed to have, so I made sure I was doing everything right and stayed focused,” Helmick said.

The Eagle wrestlers will travel to Pueblo, Colorado, to compete in the Super Region 4 Tournament after they compete in three more duals.

“It’s a good win to build off of,” Helmick said. “But I know I have to keep looking forward and focus on one match at a time and doing what it takes to improve so I am prepared when the regional tournament rolls around because that’s when it really matters.”

Head Coach Brett Hunter is confident that the team will compete well not only in the three remaining duals, but also at the Regional Tournament.

“The main thing we took away from the Western States dual is that we have to be more consistent and we need to wrestle with effort as a whole,” Hunter said.

The next wrestling action will be away against New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico.