UNC Dominates FHSU and NM Highlands

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado (2-0), receiving votes in the National College Wrestling Association Coaches Poll, opened the 2023-24 season with a 47-4 victory over Fort Hays State and 50-0 triumph against New Mexico Highlands at Bank of Colorado Arena Friday.

The Bears won 19 of the 20 bouts, including seven by fall, with four against Fort Hays State.

Both duals began at 125 where sophomore Stevo Poulin – ranked ninth by Intermat - dominated the action. He recorded three takedowns in the opening period on his way to a 22-3 technical fall at the 4:56 mark, staking the Bears to an early 5-0 victory. Poulin earned an 18-5 major decision against New Mexico Highlands.

Sophomore Dominick Serrano at 133 registered the first fall of the match against Fort Hays State, pinning his opponent in 24 seconds. He earned a win by forfeit against the Cowboys.

Sophomores Rudy Lopez and Benji Alanis followed with back-to-back falls for the Bears. At 141, Lopez earned a pin at the 4:53 mark, while Alanis finished off his Fort Hays State opponent at 149 in 2:44. Lopez won 5-1 against New Mexico Highlands, while Alanis notched his second pin of the day.

At 157, Sophomore Vincent Zerban – ranked 14th by Intermat - tallied three takedowns and eight back points en route to a 20-2 technical fall just 2:15 into the match. Zerban backed it up with an 18-2 tech fall at the 5:00 mark.

Derek Matthews rode four takedowns to a 15-6 major decision at 165, while Aydin Rix-McElhinney earned a 27-10 technical fall at 174 in the closing seconds of the contest. He improved to 2-0 with an 8-3 decision against the Cowboys.

Branson Britten controlled his 184 opposition on his way to a 15-1 major decision against the Tigers, before pinning his second opponent in a time of 2:57.

Franklin Cruz suffered a 12-0 setback in his season debut. He rebounded against the Cowboys with a 19-3 tech fall at 4:33.

Xavier Doolin concluded the match strong for the Bears with a pin at the 1:57 mark and improved to 2-0 with a forfeit in the nightcap.

UNC HEAD COACH POSTMATCH QUOTES
"First off, I'd like to thank Fort Hays State and New Mexico Highlands for wrestling us," head coach Troy Nickerson said. "It is great to be back in action and I am excited for this season. It was good to see a lot of new faces in our lineup tonight. We are a young team and we showed that tonight. There is a lot we need to continue to work on, however, I feel like we have the right student-athletes who will figure it out. I appreciate the support from our fans and we will need to see more on Sunday, Dec. 10 versus a tough West Virginia team.:

RV Northern Colorado 47, Fort Hays State 4
Nov 3, 2023 – Greeley, Colo.
125: Stevo Poulin UNC tech fall D`Andre Brown FHS, 22-3 (TF; 4:56)                      5-0
133: Dominick Serrano UNC pinned Kevin Honas FHS, WBF (0:24)                         11-0
141: Rudy Lopez UNC pinned Drew Bell FHS, WBF (4:53)                                       17-0
149: Benji Alanis UNC pinned Marcell Dely FHS, WBF (2:44)                                    23-0
157: Vincent Zerban UNC tech fall Hunter Harris FHS, 20-2 (TF; 2:15)                      28-0
165: Derek Matthews UNC maj. Dec. Cody Hicks FHS, 15-6                                     32-0
174: Aydin Rix-McElhinney UNC tech fall Juan Urbina FHS, 27-10; (TF; 6:57)          37-0
184: Branson Britten UNC maj. Dec. Bryce Westmoreland FHS, 15-1                       41-0
197: Tereus Henry FHS maj. Dec. Franklin Cruz UNCO, 12-0                                    41-4
285: Xavier Doolin UNCO pinned Anthony Caldwell FHS, WBF (1:57)                       47-4

RV Northern Colorado 50, New Mexico Highlands 0
Nov. 3 – Greeley, Colo.
125: Stevo Poulin UNC maj. Dec. Rhys Sellers NMH, 18-5                                         4-0
133: Dominick Serrano wins by forfeit.                                                                         10-0
141: Rudy Lopez UNC Dec. Joseph Misitano NMH, 5-1                                              13-0
149: Benji Alanis UNC pinned Deklyn Miller NMH, WBF (4:33)                                   19-0
157: Vincent Zerban UNC tech fall Evan Killgore NMH, 18-2 (TF; 5:00)                      24-0
165: Derek Matthews UNC Dec. Ivan Smith Jr. NMH, 8-3                                           27-0
174: Aydin Rix-McElhinney UNC pinned Thomas Tolbert NMH, WBF (2:21)               33-0
184: Branson Britten UNC pinned Jacob Castillo NMH, WBF (2:57)                           39-0
197: Franklin Cruz UNC tech fall Jayden Johnson NMH, 19-3 (TF; 4:33)                   44-0
285: Xavier Doolin wins by forfeit. 50-0

INSIDE THE BOX

UNC recorded seven wins by fall, five by tech fall, three by maj. Dec. and two by forfeit.
The Bears recorded 52 takedowns while allowing six.
UNC collected a riding time bonus in eight matches while surrendering just one.
The Bears accrued eight 4-point near falls, two 2-point near falls and a 3-point fall, while allowing one 3-point and one 4-point.
UNC charged with one stalling penalty, while the opponents tallied 12.

UP NEXT
The Bears hit the road for a pair of matches Friday, Nov. 17, at the Arm Bar at the Armory. They take on Buffalo at 4:30 p.m., followed by Presbyterian at 6:30 p.m.

NEXT HOME MATCH
UNC returns to The Bank at 1 p.m. in the Big 12 opener against West Virginia.

To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.