University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, November 5
Laramie, WY
All Day
University of Northern Colorado
at
Cowboy Open
Box Securing a Takedown
@UNCBearsWrestle Brings Home Nine Placers at Cowboy Open
11/6/2016 11:39:00 AM | Wrestling
Laramie, Wyoming – The Bears traveled to the University of Wyoming Saturday to compete at the Cowboy Open. It was a good showing for UNC, as the Bears sent three wrestlers to the finals and six wrestlers to the consolation finals.
How It Happened:
Rico Montoya was the only champion of the day, winning the 133 lb weight class at the elite division for the Bears. Rico cruised to the finals, winning his first two matches, before defeating Isaac Jiminez of Air Force 11 – 8 to bring home the title.
The other two finalists today were freshman Robert Winters and Jimmy Fate. Jimmy Fate wrestled at 157 lbs for the Bears in the dual against ASU last night, falling 10 – 5. Fate was able to bounce back, as he defeated four opponents before falling in the finals to claim second place at 157 lbs in the amateur division. Robert Winters wrestled unattached for UNC, and won three matches before the finals. Winters lost 8 – 3 in a hard fought battle, coming away with second place at HWT in the amateur division.
The Bears sent six wrestlers to the consolation finals, with four of the six capturing third place finishes. Timmy Box and Ben Polkowske both lost in their semi final matches, and won their next two matches to place third. Box and Polkowske are wrestling at new weight classes this year, and have come out of the gates strong with a combined record of 10 - 2. Box dropped down to the 141 lb weight class, while Polkowske moved up to the 149 lb weight class.
The other two wrestlers to place third today were Keilan Torres and Jamarcus Grant, who wrestled unattached.
Game Changer: Rico Montoya capturing his first individual tournament of his collegiate career.
Key Stat: The Bears had six placers in 2015 at the Cowboy Open, and placed nine wrestlers this year.
In Their Words:
Head Coach, Troy Nickerson
"Overall I feel like we wrestled well today. Every year we come to this tournament, we continue to have more placers than the previous year. Rico Montoya captured his first individual tournament title, but I still think he can wrestle at a higher level. Regardless, he still came home as a champion, which is all we can ask for. I am continually impressed with our freshman class, led by Jimmy Fate and Robert Winters. They compete at a very high pace, and constantly look to score points. We have plenty to work on after our first weekend of competition, and look to improve for the Northern Colorado Open next Sunday."
Rico Montoya, 133 lbs
"I felt like I was more conservative than I should have been in my matches today and I need to push the pace to accomplish my goals of becoming a national champion at the NCAA Championships. this March"
Results:
133 – Rico Montoya 1st
141 – Timmy Box 3rd
149 – Ben Polkowske 3rd
157- Jimmy Fate 2nd
165 – Keilan Torres 3rd
174 – Dalton Robertson 4th
184 – Jamarcus Grant 3rd
197 – Jacob Seely 4th
HWT – Robert Winters 2nd
Up Next: The Bears will compete in the Northern Colorado Open at the Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, CO.
How It Happened:
Rico Montoya was the only champion of the day, winning the 133 lb weight class at the elite division for the Bears. Rico cruised to the finals, winning his first two matches, before defeating Isaac Jiminez of Air Force 11 – 8 to bring home the title.
The other two finalists today were freshman Robert Winters and Jimmy Fate. Jimmy Fate wrestled at 157 lbs for the Bears in the dual against ASU last night, falling 10 – 5. Fate was able to bounce back, as he defeated four opponents before falling in the finals to claim second place at 157 lbs in the amateur division. Robert Winters wrestled unattached for UNC, and won three matches before the finals. Winters lost 8 – 3 in a hard fought battle, coming away with second place at HWT in the amateur division.
The Bears sent six wrestlers to the consolation finals, with four of the six capturing third place finishes. Timmy Box and Ben Polkowske both lost in their semi final matches, and won their next two matches to place third. Box and Polkowske are wrestling at new weight classes this year, and have come out of the gates strong with a combined record of 10 - 2. Box dropped down to the 141 lb weight class, while Polkowske moved up to the 149 lb weight class.
The other two wrestlers to place third today were Keilan Torres and Jamarcus Grant, who wrestled unattached.
Game Changer: Rico Montoya capturing his first individual tournament of his collegiate career.
Key Stat: The Bears had six placers in 2015 at the Cowboy Open, and placed nine wrestlers this year.
In Their Words:
Head Coach, Troy Nickerson
"Overall I feel like we wrestled well today. Every year we come to this tournament, we continue to have more placers than the previous year. Rico Montoya captured his first individual tournament title, but I still think he can wrestle at a higher level. Regardless, he still came home as a champion, which is all we can ask for. I am continually impressed with our freshman class, led by Jimmy Fate and Robert Winters. They compete at a very high pace, and constantly look to score points. We have plenty to work on after our first weekend of competition, and look to improve for the Northern Colorado Open next Sunday."
Rico Montoya, 133 lbs
"I felt like I was more conservative than I should have been in my matches today and I need to push the pace to accomplish my goals of becoming a national champion at the NCAA Championships. this March"
Results:
133 – Rico Montoya 1st
141 – Timmy Box 3rd
149 – Ben Polkowske 3rd
157- Jimmy Fate 2nd
165 – Keilan Torres 3rd
174 – Dalton Robertson 4th
184 – Jamarcus Grant 3rd
197 – Jacob Seely 4th
HWT – Robert Winters 2nd
Up Next: The Bears will compete in the Northern Colorado Open at the Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, CO.
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