Cowboys' Michel takes second at Super Regionals to qualify for nationals

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. --- New Mexico Highlands' Allen Michel made a run to the Super Regional championship match Saturday and took second to qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Michel fell in the title match at 174 pounds to Austin Eldredge of Nebraska Kearney, 19-3.

Michel made it to the championship match at 174 pounds after winning by fall over Cody Lewis of Adams State in 51 seconds, pinning Western Colorado's Cole Hernandez at the 6:15 mark and then winning a 5-3 decision over Seth Latham of Colorado Mesa in the semifinals.

NMHU's Jonathan Trujillo had a chance to qualify for nationals, but fell short in the third-place match to Western Colorado's Jason Hanenberg via fall.

Trujillo advanced to the third-place match by beating Gavin Melendez of CSU Pueblo 9-2 in the quarterfinals before falling to Sam Turner of Nebraska Kearney 2-1 in the semifinals. In the consolation semifinals, Trujillo beat Cason Linsey of Fort Hays State 6-2 to advance to the third-place match.

Julian Sanchez (1-2, 285 pounds) and  Lance Killgore (1-2, 184) each won a match for the Cowboys as well.