Cowboys place five wrestlers at UNK Holiday Inn Open

KEARNEY, Neb. --- The New Mexico Highlands wrestling team had five wrestlers place at the UNK Holiday Inn Open on Saturday at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
 
In the elite division, Chris Collins took second at 197 pounds, winning five straight matches before falling in the finals to CSU-Pueblo's Haszell West by decision (5-3). Also placing in the elite division for the Cowboys was Adrian George, taking sixth at 125 pounds after going 3-3.
 
In the amateur division, Logan Pine took second at 149 pounds – going 4-1 and falling by a 6-3 decision in the finals to Braydon Huber of Mary. Pine pinned his first three opponents – all within 1:42, before winning the semifinal match by a 6-3 decision.
 
Allen Michel took third place at 157 pounds, going 4-1 losing in the semifinals before winning back-to-back matches to finish third. All four of his victories were by fall, including one in just 17 seconds in the quarterfinals. Darian Manzanares took fourth in the 141-pound amateur division, going 4-2.
 
The Cowboys have one last event before the new year as they travel to participate in the Bob Smith Open in Hays, Kansas.