COLORADO MINES WRESTLING HAS THREE ALL-AMERICANS
 Rick Rank (second from right) is honored for his 5th place finish at the NCAA II 2004 National Wrestling Championships |
MANKATO, Minn. – The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team had three individuals earn All-American honors at the 2004 NCAA Division II National Championships on Friday and Saturday in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Myers Fieldhouse. The placings helped Mines into a 22nd place showing heading into Saturday nights finals.
Senior 157-pounder Rick Rank (Algonac, Mich./Algonac)
led the way as he placed fifth in his weight class. Rank dropped his
opening match, 7-6, to Paul Carlson of North Dakota State, the No. 1
ranked wrestler at 157 pounds. However, Rank rebounded to three straight
matches in the consolation round before falling to Carlson, 8-7, and
move into the fifth place match where he pinned Travis Peak of Chadron
State in 2:07.
 Nathan Peterson (far left) is honored for his 8th place finish at the NCAA II 2004 National Wrestling Championships |
Senior Nathan Peterson (Salt Lake City, Utah/Cottonwood) and sophomore heavyweight Derek Thompson (Cortez, Colo./Dolores) also earned All-American accolades as they each placed eighth in their respective weight classes. Each grappler posted a 2-3 mark at nationals.
CSM had one other wrestler compete at nationals in freshman Zac Cornett (Rosemont, Minn./Rosemont) who went 0-2 in the 174 pound bracket.
 Derek Thompson (far left) is honored for his 8th place finish at the NCAA II 2004 National Wrestling Championships |
-- orediggers --
MINES WRESTLING QUALIFIES FOUR FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
HAYS, Kan. -- The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team had four place winners at the 2004 NCAA Division II West Region/Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships on Sunday at Fort Hays State’s Gross Memorial Coliseum. Senior 149-pounder Nathan Peterson (Salt Lake City, Utah/Cottonwood) and sophomore heavyweight Derek Thompson (Cortez, Colo./Dolores) placed second at their respective weight classes, while senior 157-pounder Rick Rank (Algonac, Mich./Algonac) and freshman 174-pounder Zac Cornett (Rosemont, Minn./Rosemont) each placed fourth. By virtue of their top-four finishes, all four are qualified for the NCAA II National Championships to be contested March 12-13 in Mankato, Minn.
The fourth-seeded Peterson opened with a 9-5 win over Jared Webster of Chadron State and then knocked off Adrian Jiron, the top-ranked 149-pounder in the country, 3-2 in overtime, before falling in the championship, 9-7 in a tiebreaker, to Luke Santos of San Francisco State.
Thompson, the event’s third-seed, opened with a 4-2 win and a fall (7:20) before falling to top-seeded Andrew Ubben of Fort Hays State in the finals, 3-1. Cornett, who lost his first match, came back to win two straight in the consolation round and lost in the third place match, 5-1, to Caleb Young of Nebraska-Kearney.
Rank, the tournament’s fourth-seed, also lost his first match, but rallied to go 3-1 in the consolation bracket, including an 8-2 win over Tyler Herman of Nebraska-Kearney in the true fourth place match.
Overall, Mines was seventh out of eight schools in the West Region Championship with 57 points and seventh of seven teams in the RMAC Championship with 59 points.
-- orediggers --
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY 33,
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 9
Friday, February 20, 2004
Colorado Springs, Colo.
|
WEIGHT
|
WINNER
|
LOSER
|
SCORE
|
| 125 lbs | David Lee (CSM) |
--
|
Forfeit |
| 133 lbs | Brandon Strong (AFA) | Garrett Eller (CSM) | Fall, 0:49 |
| 141 lbs | Matthew Benza (AFA) |
Brandon Prioreschi (CSM)
|
Fall, 4:46 |
| 149 lbs | Chris Nissen (AFA) |
Nathan Peterson (CSM)
|
8-6 |
| 157 lbs | Justin Gabbard (AFA) | Rick Rank (CSM) | 6-5 |
| 165 lbs | Blaine Brown (AFA) | Peter Jenson (CSM) | 9-5 |
| 174 lbs | Jacob Lillich (AFA) | Zach Cornett (CSM) | 6-2 |
| 184 lbs | Lucas Lefeve (AFA) | Eric Romberg (CSM) | 6-2 |
| 197 lbs | Brendan McLean (AFA) |
Adam Seibel (CSM)
|
Fall, 4:23 |
| HWT | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Kurt Skarstedt (AFA) | 15-13 |
MATCH NOTES
• Mines falls to 0-11 overall with the loss
• CSM will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 29 when it participates
in the NCAA II West/RMAC Regional Championships at Fort Hays State
#14 CHADRON STATE 23, COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
12
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Chadron, Nebraska
|
WEIGHT
|
WINNER
|
LOSER
|
SCORE
|
| 125 lbs | Seth Groff (CSC) | David Lee (CSM) | 8-1 |
| 133 lbs | Garrett Eller (CSM) | Chase Francis (CSC) | 8-6 |
| 141 lbs | Ryan Hoffman (CSC) |
Brandon Prioreschi (CSM)
|
11-8 |
| 149 lbs | Nathan Peterson (CSM) |
Jared Webster (CSC)
|
11-7 |
| 157 lbs | #4 Travis Peak (CSC) | Rick Rank (CSM) | 12-6 |
| 165 lbs | #7 Jordan Johnson (CSC) | Peter Jenson (CSM) | 10-2 |
| 174 lbs | Zach Cornett (CSM) | Jake Schluckebier (CSC) | 4-1 |
| 184 lbs | Ben Holscher (CSC) | Eric Romberg (CSM) | 12-4 |
| 197 lbs | #1 Jeff Rusher (CSC) |
Adam Seibel (CSM)
|
Fall, 2:41 |
| HWT | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Cale Bickerdyke (CSC) | 8-2 |
MATCH NOTES
• Chadron moves to 5-5 overall and 2-3 in the RMAC
• Mines falls to 0-11 overall and 0-5 in conference duals
• CSM will return to action on Friday night when it travels to
Air Force for a 7:00 pm nonconfernce dual
#7 WESTERN STATE 35, COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
6
Friday, February 13, 2004
Golden, Colorado - Volk Gymnasium
|
WEIGHT
|
WINNER
|
LOSER
|
SCORE
|
| 125 lbs | Jared Haberman (WSC) | David Lee (CSM) | 15-0 (6:33) |
| 133 lbs | Jeremy Goss (WSC) | Garrett Eller (CSM) | 4-2 (2OT) |
| 141 lbs | #4 R.C. LaHaye (WSC) |
--
|
Forfeit |
| 149 lbs | #2 Adrian Jiron (WSC) |
Nathan Peterson (CSM)
|
4-2 (2OT) |
| 157 lbs | #2 Jack Quintana (WSC) | Rick Rank (CSM) | Fall, 3:52 |
| 165 lbs | Peter Jenson (CSM) | Tyler Lancaster (WSC) | 2-1 |
| 174 lbs | Cameron Bretz (WSC) | Zach Cornett (CSM) | 8-5 |
| 184 lbs | Matt Trout (WSC) | Adam Seibel (CSM) | 16-0 (3:47) |
| 197 lbs | Blake Wilson (WSC) |
Eric Romberg (CSM)
|
11-3 |
| HWT | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Kipp Cullin (WSC) | 3-2 (5OT) |
MATCH NOTES
• Western State improves to 9-3 overall and 5-1 in the Rocky Mountain
Athletic Conference
• Mines falls to 0-10 overall and 0-4 in conference duals
• Western State avenges a 31-13 loss to the Orediggers last season
in Gunnison, Colorado
• CSM will return to action two times next week as they travel
to Chadron State for a 7:00 pm RMAC dual on Wednesday and travel to
the United States Air Force Academy for a 7:00 pm nonconfernce match
on Friday
• Western will be back in action on Wednesday when it travels to
Air Force for a 7:00 pm dual
• Both teams will then be in action on Feb. 29 when they compete
in the NCAA Division II RMAC/West Regional Championships at Fort Hays
State’s Gross Memorial Coliseum
• Tonight’s official was Roy Dillow
• Tonight’s attendance was 183
#9 ADAMS STATE 23, COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
18
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Golden, Colorado - Volk Gymnasium
|
WEIGHT
|
WINNER
|
LOSER
|
SCORE
|
| 125 lbs | Rob McCabe (ASC) | David Lee (CSM) | 13-0 |
| 133 lbs | Garrett Eller (CSM) | Lorenzo Moreno (ASC) | 6-1 |
| 141 lbs | #3 Shane Barnes (ASC) |
--
|
Forfeit |
| 149 lbs | Nathan Peterson (CSM) |
--
|
Forfeit |
| 157 lbs | #3 Travis Koppenhafer (ASC) | Rick Rank (CSM) | 17-2 (4:00) |
| 165 lbs | #8 Scott Cleve (ASC) | Peter Jenson (CSM) | 11-4 |
| 174 lbs | Zach Cornett (CSM) | James Reynolds (ASC) | 9-4 |
| 184 lbs | Casey Woodall (ASC) | Adam Seibel (CSM) | 22-6 (6:32) |
| 197 lbs | Eric Romberg (CSM) |
Manny Pacillias (ASC)
|
6-2 |
| HWT | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Heath Soderstrom (ASC) | 7-3 |
MATCH NOTES
• Adams State, ranked ninth in Division II, improves
to 9-5 overall and 4-1 in the RMAC
• Mines falls to 0-9 overall and 0-3 in conference duals
• CSM will host seventh-ranked Western State Friday night at 7:00
pm in Volk Gym
• Adams State will be off until the RMAC/West Regionals on Feb.
29 in Hays, Kan.
• Tonight’s official was Eric Mendoza
• Attendance was 162
FORT HAYS STATE 28,
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 9
Friday, February 6, 2004
Hays, Kan. - Gross Memorial Coliseum
|
WEIGHT
|
WINNER
|
LOSER
|
SCORE
|
| 125 lbs | Kory Lira (FHSU) | David Lee (CSM) | 8-3 (2OT) |
| 133 lbs | Garrett Eller (CSM) | Devin Schwartz (FHSU) | 4-3 |
| 141 lbs | Jeremy Johnson (FHSU) |
--
|
Forfeit |
| 149 lbs | David Nordhues (FHSU) | Nathan Peterson (CSM) | 4-3 |
| 157 lbs | Rick Rank (CSM) | Brandon Jobe (FHSU) | 4-3 |
| 165 lbs | Peter Jenson (CSM) | #8 Phil Hart (FHSU) | 8-4 |
| 174 lbs | #3 Aaron Meister (FHSU) | Zach Cornett (CSM) | 13-1 |
| 184 lbs | #5 Jordan Nichols | Eric Romberg (CSM) | 24-9 |
| 197 lbs | Brian King (FHSU) |
Adam Seibel (CSM)
|
22-7 |
| HWT | #4 Andrew Ubben (FHSU) | Derek Thompson (CSM) | 3-1 (OT) |
#14 NEBRASKA-KEARNEY 26, COLORADO SCHOOL OF
MINES 13
Thursday, February 5, 2004
Kearney, Neb. - Heath & Sports Center
|
WEIGHT
|
WINNER
|
LOSER
|
SCORE
|
| 125 lbs | #2 Bryce Abbey (UNK) | David Lee (CSM) | 21-8 |
| 133 lbs | #7 Adam Keiswetter | Garrett Eller (CSM) | 10-2 |
| 141 lbs | Matt True (UNK) |
--
|
Forfeit |
| 149 lbs | Nathan Peterson (CSM) | Pat True (UNK) | 5-2 |
| 157 lbs | Rick Rank (CSM) | Tyler Herman (UNK) | 3-1 (OT) |
| 165 lbs | Aaron Dalton (UNK) | Peter Jenson (CSM) | 11-4 |
| 174 lbs | Zach Cornett (CSM) | Caleb Young (UNK) | 4-3 |
| 184 lbs | Zac Rice (UNK) | Eric Romberg (CSM) | 3-2 |
| 197 lbs | Jeff Sylvester (UNK) |
--
|
Forfeit |
| HWT | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Donnie Moravec (UNK) | 8-0 |
ADAMS STATE WINS COLORADO COLLEGIATE WRESTLING
CHAMPIONSHIPS
CSM Finishes Fifth Overall; Thompson Second at Heavyweight
GOLDEN, Colo. -- Adams State used eight place winners, including three individual champions, and captured the 19th Annual Colorado Collegiate Wrestling Championships on Saturday. The 2004 event was held at the Colorado School of Mines’ Volk Gymnasium and a total of 73 wrestlers competed.
ASC finished with 90.5 points and was followed by Western State (84.5), Air Force (78), Northern Colorado (64), Colorado School of Mines (52) and University of Colorado (0).
Jason Ramstetter, head coach of Adams State, was voted Coach of the Year, while Grizzly senior 157-pounder Travis Koppenhafer was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler after earning the title at his weight class. It is the second straight week he has earned such an award after earning the same title at last weekend’s NCAA Division II National Duals in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Grizzlies, ranked seventh in Division II, also received first place finishes from 133-pounder Kortney Lake and 141-pounder Shane Barnes, the top-ranked wrestler in the country at his weight class.
Western State, ranked fifth in Division II, had the most individual champions with four. Jared Haberman at 125 pounds, Adrian Jiron (149), Matt Trout (184) and Kip Cullin (285) all won titles for the Mountaineers.
Air Force claimed individual champions in Blaine Brown at 165 pounds and Jacob Lillich at 174 pounds, while Reece Hopkin was Northern Colorado’s lone champ. He won the title at 197 pounds.
Mines did not have an individual champ, but sophomore heavyweight Derek Thompson (Cortez, Colo./Dolores) placed second to lead the team.
-- orediggers --
WESTERN WYOMING CC 21, COLORADO SCHOOL OF
MINES 17
Saturday, January 17, 2004
Orem, Utah
| WEIGHT | WINNER | LOSER | SCORE |
| 125 lbs | Jeremy Baker (WW) | David Lee (CSM) | 3-1 |
| 133 lbs | Lyle Evans (WW) | Garrett Eller (CSM) | 5-3 |
| 141 lbs | Nate Pilcher (CSM) | Mark Fisher (WW) | 8-0 |
| 149 lbs | Nathan Peterson (CSM) | Randy Nelson (WW) | 12-3 |
| 157 lbs | Rick Rank (CSM) |
--
|
Forfeit |
| 165 lbs | Nick Larsen (WW) | Peter Jenson (CSM) | 6-5 |
| 174 lbs | Michael Casperson (WW) | Justin Mullings (CSM) | Fall, 2:26 |
| 184 lbs | Zach Cornett (CSM) | Luke Kjar (WW) | 9-5 |
| 197 lbs | Colt Hamilton (WW) | Eric Romberg (CSM) | 6-1 |
| HWT | John Fager (WW) | Derek Thompson (CSM) | 5-2 |
UTAH VALLEY STATE 28, COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
13
Saturday, January 17, 2004
Orem, Utah
| WEIGHT | WINNER | LOSER | SCORE |
| 125 lbs | Tyler Allen (UVS) | David Lee (CSM) | 5-4 (OT) |
| 133 lbs | Erkin Tadzhimetov (UVS) | Garrett Eller (CSM) | Fall, 0:38 |
| 141 lbs | Nate Pilcher (CSM) | Justin Rawle (UVS) | 13-3 |
| 149 lbs | Mitch Morgan (UVS) | Nathan Peterson (CSM) | 12-5 |
| 157 lbs | Rick Rank (CSM) | Wayne Watts (UVS) | 7-3 |
| 165 lbs | Tanner Cowan (UVS) | Peter Jenson (CSM) | 5-4 |
| 174 lbs | Ben Wiscombe (UVS) | Justin Mullings (CSM) | Fall, 0:43 |
| 184 lbs | Ivan Bigney (UVS) | Zach Cornett (CSM) | 7-4 |
| 197 lbs | Darren Cooper (UVS) | Eric Romberg (CSM) | 12-3 |
| HWT | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Billy Green | Fall, 5:00 |
MINES WRESTLING DROPS THREE AT EASTERN DUALS
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team posted an 0-3 mark at the Eastern Duals Saturday afternoon. Mines opened with a 34-13 loss to Delaware Valley and followed that with setbacks to Gannon (24-13) and Mercyhurst (19-15). Redshirt freshman 141-pounder Nate Pilcher (Fort Morgan, Colo./Fort Morgan), senior 157-pounder Rick Rank (Algonac, Mich./Algonac) and junior 165-pounder Peter Jenson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Rampart) each won all three of their matches on the afternoon.
-- orediggers --
DELAWARE VALLEY 34, COLORADO MINES 13
| WEIGHT | WINNER | LOSER | SCORE |
| 125 lbs | Mike Watson (DV) | David Lee (CSM) | 8-3 |
| 133 lbs | Barry Wise (DV) | Garrett Eller (CSM) | Fall, 5:37 |
| 141 lbs | Nate Pilcher (CSM) | Rob Jiminez (DV) | 7-4 |
| 149 lbs | Jeremy Messinger (DV) | Nathan Peterson (CSM) | Fall, 2:30 |
| 157 lbs | Rick Rank (CSM) | Andrew Belding (DV) | Fall, 2:59 |
| 165 lbs | Peter Jenson (CSM) | Kevin Moore (DV) | 9-0 |
| 174 lbs | Jason Shivak (DV) | Zach Cornett (CSM) | 14-3 |
| 184 lbs | Josh Housekeeper (DV) | Eric Romberg (CSM) | Fall, 5:25 |
| 197 lbs | Andrew Helms (DV) | Adam Seibel (CSM) | Fall, 0:49 |
| HWT | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Forest Smith (DV) | 2-0 |
GANNON 24, COLORADO MINES 13
| WEIGHT | WINNER | LOSER | SCORE |
| 125 lbs | Jason Parker (G) | David Lee (CSM) | 3-2 |
| 133 lbs | Karl Richardson (G) | Garrett Eller (CSM) | 8-5 |
| 141 lbs | Nate Pilcher (CSM) | Joe Cavalier (G) | 8-6 |
| 149 lbs | R.J. Paterniti (G) | Nathan Peterson (CSM) | 12-4 |
| 157 lbs | Rick Rank (CSM) | AJ Sayles (G) | 8-3 |
| 165 lbs | Peter Jenson (CSM) | Pina Scavella (G) | 9-1 |
| 174 lbs | Jason Radtke (G) | Zach Cornett (CSM) | 11-1 |
| 184 lbs | Eric Romberg (CSM) | Chris Wolski (G) | 4-2 |
| 197 lbs | Dan Schields (G) | Adam Seibel (CSM) | 10-2 |
| HWT | Ryan Marovich (G) | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Fall, 6:58 |
MERCYHURST 19, COLORADO MINES 15
| WEIGHT | WINNER | LOSER | SCORE |
| 125 lbs | Ricky Randazzo (M) | David Lee (CSM) | 7-1 |
| 133 lbs | Darren Yaple (M) | Garrett Eller (CSM) | 4-3 |
| 141 lbs | Nate Pilcher (CSM) | J.J. Zanetta (M) | 8-3 |
| 149 lbs | Nathan Peterson (CSM) | Will Tedder (M) | 13-10 |
| 157 lbs | Rick Rank (CSM) | Aaron Rowe (M) | 7-2 |
| 165 lbs | Peter Jenson (CSM) | Brian Wolff (M) | 6-4 |
| 174 lbs | Paul Bergman (M) | Zach Cornett (CSM) | 7-4 |
| 184 lbs | Ben McAvinew (M) | Eric Romberg (CSM) | 20-9 |
| 197 lbs | Justin Mautz (M) | Adam Seibel (CSM) | Fall, 0:43 |
| HWT | Derek Thompson (CSM) | Angelo Caponi | 7-2 |
#4 PITT JOHNSTOWN 34, COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 9
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team dropped its first dual match of the season as fourth-ranked Pittsburgh-Johnstown handed the Orediggers a 34-9 setback in nonconference action Friday night at the Sports Center. Winning matches for Mines were sophomore 125-pounder David Lee (Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman) and senior 157-pounder Rick Rank (Algonac, Mich./Algonac).
-- orediggers --
COMPLETE RESULTS
| WEIGHT | WINNER | LOSER | SCORE |
| 125 lbs | David Lee (CSM) | Ryon Mazzocco (UPJ) | Fall, 6:36 |
| 133 lbs | Thad Benton (UPJ) | Garrett Eller (CSM) | Fall, 2:40 |
| 141 lbs | Jason Nestor (UPJ) | Nate Pilcher (CSM) | 3-1 |
| 149 lbs | Ryan Ickes (UPJ) | Nathan Peterson (CSM) | Fall, 6:59 |
| 157 lbs | Rick Rank (CSM) | Matt Roncolato (UPJ) | 6-3 |
| 165 lbs | Mark Glova (UPJ) | Peter Jenson (CSM) | 7-2 |
| 174 lbs | John Burda (UPJ) | Zach Cornett (CSM) | 7-2 |
| 184 lbs | Brian Putnam (UPJ) | Eric Romberg (CSM) | 8-0 |
| 197 lbs | Howard Bell (UPJ) | Adam Seibel (CSM) | Fall, 1:39 |
| HWT | Zach Majocha (UPJ) | Derek Thompson (CSM) | 3-1 |
MINES WRESTLING COMPETES AT DANA OPEN
BLAIR, Neb. -- The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team competed at the Dana Open on Saturday afternoon at the Gardner Hawks Center. Sophomore heaveyweight Derek Thompson (Cortez, Colo./Dolores) was the lone Mines grappler to place as he took home third place in his weight class. Freshman 133-pounder Garrett Eller (Kremmling, Colo./West Grand) also fared well and came up one match short of placing.
Thompson earned two wins to open the tournament (11-7 and 7-1) to advance to the semifinals where he fell to top-seeded Les Sigman of Nebraska-Omaha, 14-2. However, Thompson came back to pin Ryan Tonkin of Dana in 3:08 to move into the consolation finals where he was pinned in the first period.
Eller opened with a win, but lost his second match to fall into the consolation round. There, he won two straight matches (7-6 and 7-3), but fell to Brian Tsutsumi, 7-3, in the consolation semifinals.
Mines will return to action on Friday night when it travels to Pitt-Johnstown for a 7:00 pm nonconference dual match. On Saturday, the Orediggers will compete at the Eastern Duals at Shippensburg.
-- orediggers --
CSM WRESTLING COMPETES AT NEBRASKA-KEARNEY OPEN
KEARNEY, Neb. -- The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team competed at the Nebraska-Kearney Runza Loper Open on Saturday in Kearney, Neb. and had four place winners.
Leading the way was senior 157-pounder Rick Rank (Algonac, Mich./Algonac) and sophomore heavyweight Derek Thompson (Cortez, Colo./Dolores) who each placed third at their respective weight classes. Rank knocked off Trent Leichleiter of Dana College in the consolation finals, 4-2, while Thompson defeated Nate Reicks of Kearney, 4-2, to claim third place.
Senior 149-pounder Nathan Peterson (Salt Lake City, Utah/Cottonwood) placed for the third straight tournament as he knocked off Jeremy Kirk of UNK in the fifth place match, 7-3.
Freshman 141-pounder Nate Pilcher (Fort Morgan, Colo./Fort Morgan) was the final Oredigger to place and he took home fifth place following a 5-2 victory over Kris Thayer of Nebraska-Omaha.
Mines will take an extended break from competition through the holidays and return to action on Jan. 3 when it competes in the Dana Open.
-- orediggers --
MINES WRESTLING COMPETES AT BOB SMITH OPEN
HAYS, Kan. -- The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team participated at the Bob Smith Open on Saturday in Gross Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Fort Hays State. The meet was unscored and the Orediggers had one place winner in senior 149-pounder Nathan Peterson (Salt Lake City, Utah/Cottonwood) who claimed second place in his weight class.
The second-seeded Peterson opened with 9-1 and 10-5 victories to reach the semifinals where he knocked off Dan Clum of Wyoming with a fall in 5:22. Peterson was defeated in the finals, 5-3, by fourth-seeded Mikel Delk of Labette Community College.
Senior 157-pounder Rick Rank (Algonac, Mich./Algonac) also fared well in the open event. Rank, the third seed, rolled off three straight victories, including one by a fall, to advance to the semifinals, but was defeated, 5-2, by second-seeded Todd Peak of Chadron State. He then lost in the consolation semifinals, 5-3, to just miss placing.
CSM will return to action on Saturday when it competes at the Nebraska-Kearney Open. Action is slated to begin at 9:00 am.
-- orediggers --
MINES WRESTLING COMPETES AT NORTHERN COLORADO OPEN
GREELEY, Colo. -- The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team competed at the Nothern Colorado Mr. Goodcents Open on Saturday and had three place winners. Senior 149-pounder Nathan Peterson (Salt Lake City, Utah/Cottonwood) and sophomore heavyweight Derek Thompson (Dolores, Colo./Cortez) each placed second, while freshman 141-pounder Nate Pilcher (Fort Morgan, Colo./Fort Morgan) claimed third place.
Peterson opened with a victory over Andrew Teigeler of Air Force before upsetting second-seeded Luke Salazar, 6-2, in the round of 16. He then defeated Aaron Thompson of Adams State, 10-5, and Loren Hutchins of Northern Colorado, 11-7, to reach the finals where he lost, 9-2, to top-seeded Adrian Jiron of Western State.
Thompson received a bye in the first round and then posted wins over Dustin Sullivan of Adams State and Kurt Sharstedt of Air Force. Thompson was defeated by top-seeded Tyler Rhodes, 4-1, in the finals.
Pilcher won his first match, but fell to third-seeded Eric Sabot, 14-6, in the second round. However, Pilcher rebounded to win six straight matches in the consolation bracket to earn third place.
Mines will return to action on Dec. 6 when it competes in the Bob Smith Open in Hays, Kan.
-- orediggers --
CSM WRESTLING OPENS SEASON AT COWBOY OPEN
COMPLETE MINES DIVISION I RESULTS
COMPLETE MINES DIVISION II RESULTS
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team opened its 2003-04 season at the Wyoming Cowboy Open on Saturday afternoon. No team scores were kept as it was an individual only event.
Freshman Nate Pilcher (Fort Morgan, Colo./Fort Morgan) had the best showing by an Oredigger as he captured first place at 141 pounds with a 4-0 mark. Pilcher defeated grapplers from Fort Hays State, Western Wyoming CC, Montana State University Northern and the Bear Wrestling Club en route to the tournament title. He outscored his opposition, 26-12, in the four matches.
Sophomore heavyweight Derek Thompson (Cortez, Colo./Delores) was the only other CSM wrestler to place as he posted a 3-1 mark to claim second place. Thompson won his first three matches, but dropped a 14-0 decision to Andrew Ubben of Fort Hays State in the finals.
CSM will return to action on Saturday when it competes at the Northern Colorado Open. The event is slated to begin at 9:00 am.
-- orediggers --
1500 Illinois Street
Golden, Colorado, 80401-1887
Phone 303-273-3095 Toll Free 800-446-9488 Fax 303-273-3362