University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Sunday, February 24
Greeley, Colo.
2 PM
University of Northern Colorado
6
vs
31
Air Force
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Dual Schedule Comes to a Close for @UNCBearsWrestle on Senior Day
2/24/2019 6:01:00 PM | Wrestling
Northern Colorado fell 31-6 against Air Force on Sunday afternoon
Sunday was Senior Day for Northern Colorado wrestling, but the team dropped its final dual of the season to Air Force, 31-6. After the dual was tied at six, the Falcons would win the next six matches to defeat UNC.
"It's certainly disappointing to go out that way," head coach Troy Nickerson said. "I think we are a much better team than that. The guys that stuck to the game plan wrestled well tonight and the guys that didn't struggled. Some of that is maturity and the youth of the team, but I would expect them to be at a much higher level at this point of the season. We talked all week about going out there and letting the shots fly and we didn't do that."
The dual started well for the Bears, as Dalton Robertson opened the day with a 2-0 decision against Jacob Thompson in the 184 lb bout. Robertson scored a reversal in the second period at 1:25 to get all the points he would need to win and give UNC a 3-0 lead.
Air Force would race ahead of the Bears after No. 32 Anthony McLaughlin defeated No. 17 Jacob Seely in a 3-2 decision at 197 lb.
Robert Winters Jr. would face Kayne Hutchison in the 285 lb bout, dropping an 8-2 decision and the Falcons had the lead.
Senior Rico Montoya would take the mat for the final time at Bank of Colorado Arena in the 125 lb match against No. 27 Sidney Flores.
After a scoreless first period, Flores was hit with two penalties in the second period to give Montoya the 2-0 advantage. Montoya would add a takedown in the third period, along with an escape and riding time. Flores suffered this third penalty point in the final period and Montoya earned the 7-1 decision win.
"Getting wins always feels good," Montoya said. "Last match at BOCA; it was special to see the crowd grow and it's something I look forward to seeing a spectator in the next few years. In the match, I was focusing on the next point and everything else will take care of itself. [The match] started close, but I focused on the next point and got the win. I'm focused on getting my weight in check and that will help leading up to Big 12s. I enjoy tournaments more and it's exciting to go in with some momentum."
"Rico's going to go down as one of the best Bears ever," Nickerson said of Montoya. "He's a two-time, hopefully soon here three-time national qualifier, looking to get on the podium and he's close. He is a much better tournament wrestler than dual and we're looking for him to go out here and end his career with a bang."
Montoya's win tied the dual up at six.
The Falcons would seize momentum in the 133 lb match, after John Towomey defeated Sean Cannon in a 4-0 decision. Air Force would extend its lead as Chris Sandoval dropped his match 12-10 against Larry Peterson in the 141 lb bout. The Bears found themselves in a 15-6 hole.
Dante Rodriguez tried to halt the momentum in the 149 lb match, but lost to Alec Opsal 12-8. In the 157 lb match, No. 28 Alex Mossing would get the fall over Jordan Robison at the 46-second mark to put the dual out of reach for UNC.
Macoy Flanagan would be shut out by Jacoby War in an 8-0 major decision and Randy Meneweather got the fall on Trenton Schultz at 2:20 to close out the dual.
Northern Colorado ended its dual schedule with the 31-6 loss at home.
"Guys need to worry about themselves and go out and take care of business. If they do that, we can have a successful postseason," Nickerson added.
Up Next
UNC will have a week off before heading to Tulsa for the Big 12 Championships on March 9th through 10th.
Results
184: Dalton Robertson over Jacob Thompson (Dec 2-0)
197: No. 32 Anthony McLaughlin over No. 17 Jacob Seely (Dec 3-2)
285: Kayne Hutchison over Robert Winters Jr. (Dec 8-2)
125: No. 16 Rico Montoya over No. 27 Sidney Flores (Dec 7-1)
133: John Twomey over Sean Cannon (Dec 4-0)
141: Lenny Petersen over Chris Sandoval (Dec 12-10)
149: Alec Opsal over Dante Rodriguez (Dec 12-8)
157: No. 28 Alex Mossing over Jordan Robison (Fall 0:46)
165: Jacoby Ward over Macoy Flanagan (MD 8-0)
174: Randy Meneweather II over Trenton Schultz (Fall 2:20)
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"It's certainly disappointing to go out that way," head coach Troy Nickerson said. "I think we are a much better team than that. The guys that stuck to the game plan wrestled well tonight and the guys that didn't struggled. Some of that is maturity and the youth of the team, but I would expect them to be at a much higher level at this point of the season. We talked all week about going out there and letting the shots fly and we didn't do that."
The dual started well for the Bears, as Dalton Robertson opened the day with a 2-0 decision against Jacob Thompson in the 184 lb bout. Robertson scored a reversal in the second period at 1:25 to get all the points he would need to win and give UNC a 3-0 lead.
Air Force would race ahead of the Bears after No. 32 Anthony McLaughlin defeated No. 17 Jacob Seely in a 3-2 decision at 197 lb.
Robert Winters Jr. would face Kayne Hutchison in the 285 lb bout, dropping an 8-2 decision and the Falcons had the lead.
Senior Rico Montoya would take the mat for the final time at Bank of Colorado Arena in the 125 lb match against No. 27 Sidney Flores.
After a scoreless first period, Flores was hit with two penalties in the second period to give Montoya the 2-0 advantage. Montoya would add a takedown in the third period, along with an escape and riding time. Flores suffered this third penalty point in the final period and Montoya earned the 7-1 decision win.
"Getting wins always feels good," Montoya said. "Last match at BOCA; it was special to see the crowd grow and it's something I look forward to seeing a spectator in the next few years. In the match, I was focusing on the next point and everything else will take care of itself. [The match] started close, but I focused on the next point and got the win. I'm focused on getting my weight in check and that will help leading up to Big 12s. I enjoy tournaments more and it's exciting to go in with some momentum."
"Rico's going to go down as one of the best Bears ever," Nickerson said of Montoya. "He's a two-time, hopefully soon here three-time national qualifier, looking to get on the podium and he's close. He is a much better tournament wrestler than dual and we're looking for him to go out here and end his career with a bang."
Montoya's win tied the dual up at six.
The Falcons would seize momentum in the 133 lb match, after John Towomey defeated Sean Cannon in a 4-0 decision. Air Force would extend its lead as Chris Sandoval dropped his match 12-10 against Larry Peterson in the 141 lb bout. The Bears found themselves in a 15-6 hole.
Dante Rodriguez tried to halt the momentum in the 149 lb match, but lost to Alec Opsal 12-8. In the 157 lb match, No. 28 Alex Mossing would get the fall over Jordan Robison at the 46-second mark to put the dual out of reach for UNC.
Macoy Flanagan would be shut out by Jacoby War in an 8-0 major decision and Randy Meneweather got the fall on Trenton Schultz at 2:20 to close out the dual.
Northern Colorado ended its dual schedule with the 31-6 loss at home.
"Guys need to worry about themselves and go out and take care of business. If they do that, we can have a successful postseason," Nickerson added.
Up Next
UNC will have a week off before heading to Tulsa for the Big 12 Championships on March 9th through 10th.
Results
184: Dalton Robertson over Jacob Thompson (Dec 2-0)
197: No. 32 Anthony McLaughlin over No. 17 Jacob Seely (Dec 3-2)
285: Kayne Hutchison over Robert Winters Jr. (Dec 8-2)
125: No. 16 Rico Montoya over No. 27 Sidney Flores (Dec 7-1)
133: John Twomey over Sean Cannon (Dec 4-0)
141: Lenny Petersen over Chris Sandoval (Dec 12-10)
149: Alec Opsal over Dante Rodriguez (Dec 12-8)
157: No. 28 Alex Mossing over Jordan Robison (Fall 0:46)
165: Jacoby Ward over Macoy Flanagan (MD 8-0)
174: Randy Meneweather II over Trenton Schultz (Fall 2:20)
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