CSC wrestling duals for a winning streak

The Eagles fell at the end of their first home dual against Colorado Mesa University, Thursday night in the Chicoine Center, 34-12. 

The night started with heavyweight Mason Watt, sophomore of Broomfield, Colorado, winning his match following the injury of his opponent Gabriel Carranza, freshman of Victorville, California, starting out the night 6-0 for the Eagles. 

Sebastian Robles, junior of Port Orchard, Washington, started his 149-weight match with a takedown in the first period and an escape in the second. Maverick Ryan Wheeler had a takedown in the second period, making the score 3-2, allowing Robles to win his match with a decision.

Preston Renner, sophomore of Westminster, Colorado, earned a decision win against Dyllan Fuchs, sophomore of Spring Creek, Nevada, 7-3. Renner was taken down in the first period, but he earned himself an escape point before the end of the three-minute period. He earned another escape point second period before taking down Fuchs twice, once in the second and third. 

The Eagles fell to the Mavericks in the last four matches of the night in 165-pound, 174-pound, 184-pound, and 197-pound weight classes, earning pins in Colorado Mesa’s favor. 

“I think the biggest improvement is our younger guys understanding the mental mistakes during matches,” Head Wrestling Coach Hunter Brett said. “Normally, we would’ve had 15 to 25 matches already. These young guys would’ve learned that by now.” 

Without the win Thursday, the Eagles traveled to Kearney for the UNK Midwest Duals, Saturday morning. Chadron started their day against Adam State University. 

Adam State took a 25-0 lead within the first six weight classes. At 174-pounds, No. 4 Rowdy Pfeil, freshman of Moorcroft, Wyoming, won his match with a major decision, 10-2, and put points up for Chadron. 

“I try not to think about it because personally I think rankings are more for the spectator than the competitor,” Pfeil said in a message to the Eagle. “My experiences as a freshman have shown me that everyone at the collegiate level is good. I still get beat up in the practice room plenty enough to keep me humble.” 

Eli Hinojosa, sophomore of Imperial, also took his match with a major decision against Adam State’s Cole Gustavson, at 197-pounds. Heavyweight Mason Watt followed with a pin against Nathan Ellis, freshman of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite the effort, the Eagles finished 31-14 against Adams State University. 

The Eagles faced Newman University Jets, with two open weight classes, 133 and 165.  

Ritzen, Preston Renner, Pfeil, and Hinojosa won their matches with a decision, each contributing three points to the team.  

“Competition has been the greatest way for me to find what I need to work on when I’m wrestling and also to find what works the best for me to prepare for my matches,” Pfeil said. 

Robles pinned his opponent, Jet Tyler Lawley, senior of Wichita, Kansas, adding six points to the team’s total, and allowing the Eagles to get their first win under their belt, 30-12. 

Tate Stoddard, sophomore of Glenrock, Wyoming, pinned Mule Trevor Wishne, freshman of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, starting the Eagles strong with six points against University of Central Missouri. The points quickly added up with four open weight classes in 133, 141, 149, and heavyweight. 

Pfeil and Joseph Renner, freshman of Englewood, Colorado, earned decision wins over their opponents, Pfeil scoring 4-1 and Joseph Renner scoring 7-2. Hinojiso followed by pinning Joe Brady, junior of Kansas City, Missouri, closing the Eagles Saturday dules with another win, 42-6. 

Both Pfeil and Hinojisa finished their Saturday duals 3-0. The Eagles finished the Midwest duals 2-1, improving their record to 2-3. The Eagles will face Colorado State University-Pueblo, 4 p.m. tonight in Pueblo, Colorado.