Cowboy Wrestlers Begin Dual Season in Impressive Fashion with 35-15 Win

FULL RESULTS


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Cowboys wrestling team kicked off the dual season in dominating fashion by claiming the first 26 points of the match as New Mexico Highlands (1-0) knocked off # 19 (NAIA) Wayland Baptist (8-7) 35-15 Sunday afternoon (Jan. 4) in the Northwestern Mutual "Border War" Dual.

"We put in a hard week of workouts coming off the holidays and it paid off for us," head coach Doug Moses explained.

Junior JB Bechtloff started off the match in a big way with a second period pin of Kyzer Delbusto at 174 pounds. Senior Easton Hargrave got a big win at 184 when he knocked off 12th-ranked (NAIA) Michael Napier of Wayland Baptist, 10-5.

Redshirt sophomore Luis Terrazas kept the fast start going for the Cowboys with a last-second pin of Nik Gates at 197 pounds. After being taken down early in the first, Terrazas escaped quickly and turned it on forcing two stall calls Gates to get a point and set the tone for the rest of the match. 
 

Choosing down in the second, Luis gained a fast reversal and rode his opponent for the rest of the period. Though he was not able to secure any near fall points, he again stayed busy and dominated on top and got another stall point awarded. In the third, the Wayland wrestler chose down and Terrazas rode him tough, eventually turning and pinning the guy with 15 seconds left in the match to secure the win and bonus points. Highlands led 15-0.

Redshirt sophomore Cody Marquez wasted no time at heavyweight, getting the tech fall early in the second period with a 15-0 win.

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Espana at 125 and classmate Orlando Guerra at 149 got forfeit wins while redshirt junior Juan Alvarado got a 6-1 decision at 165 to close out the match for the Cowboys. 

Wayland Baptist recorded a pair of pins and a decision on the day. Fifth-ranked (NAIA) Andrew Porras pinned junior Tre Humphrey early in the second period. Kane Lovvom recorded the first period fall against freshman Kellen Pelzel at 157 pounds. Sixth-ranked (NAIA) Chris Hart won a tight 7-6 decision against redshirt junior Dan Gaylor at 141 pounds.

While Espana and Guerra ended up winning by forfeit in their respective weight classes, they did wrestle exhibition. Espana recorded the first period pin against Jacob Campa while Guerra took out #14 (NAIA) Victor Thomas 5-2.

The Cowboys return to action this weekend at the Gut Check Duals in Washington.