CHADRON – The Colorado Mesa University wrestling team won six decisions and added a pin en route to its 24-9 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory over Chadron State Thursday at the Nelson Physical Activity Center.

With the win, Mesa, ranked 10th in the latest Division II rankings, improves to 11-1 overall. Chadron State, which had won its four previous duals, falls to 5-4.

“There’s a few spots where we had some letdowns but I think we’re on the right track as the season winds down,” interim head coach Brett Hunter said.

Mesa started the dual out with a 9-3 decision at 125 pounds but the Eagles won the next two bouts to take the lead. Perry McAfee got things started at 133 pounds when he cruised to a 6-4 decision over Tyler Nelson.

Leandro Arias had a tougher time at 141 but the sophomore from Cheyenne, Wyo., scored late in the third period and then took down Drew Schumann early in the sudden victory period to ensure a 5-3 decision.

Mesa then rallied to win the next six matches but the Eagles hung tough in a majority of them.

Jon Gappmaier, the No. 2-ranked wrestler at 157, earned a 7-4 decision over Bruce Zurek and eighth-ranked Dylan Granard followed with a 4-3 decision over Dylan Fors at 165.

Mesa’s other ranked wrestler, Zac Slotten, the eighth-ranked grappler at 174, got a late takedown in the third period to fend off Bret Klopp, 5-3.

Nick Peterssen followed with a 3-1 decision at 184 over Jordan Debus and Jordan Passehl eked out a 7-6 decision over Chris Leak at 197.

The match ended on a high note for the Eagles, though, after Michael Hill controlled Paco Retana en route to a 7-2 win. Hill had two takedowns and rode Retana the entire third period.

No. 10 Colorado Mesa 24, CSC 9
125 – Jonathon Sterling, CMU, dec. Jace Johnson, 9-3
133 – Perry McAfee, CSC, dec. Tyler Nelson, 6-4
141 – Leandro Arias, CSC, dec. Drew Schumann, 5-3 sudden victory
149 – James Martinez, CMU, pinned Reed Burgener, 2:29
157 – No. 2 Jon Gappmaier, CMU, dec. Bruce Zurek, 7-4
165 – No. 8 Dylan Granard, CMU, dec. Dylan Fors, 4-3
174 – No. 8 Zac Slotten, CMU, dec. Bret Klopp, 5-3
184 – Nick Petersen, CMU, dec. Jordan Debus, 3-1
197 – Jordan Passehl, CMU, dec. Chris Leak, 7-6
285 – Michael Hill, CSC, dec. Paco Retana, 7-2