OLYMPIA, Wash. – The men's wrestling team turned in a strong performance at the Evergreen Open, placing seven wrestlers and crowning three individual champions. Leading the way for the Mountaineers were tournament champions Carlos Valdez at 157 pounds, Kylan Guerra at 174 pounds, and Hayden Martin at 285 pounds.
At 157 pounds, Carlos Valdez was dominant throughout the day, opening with a 17-2 technical fall over Pacific's Christian Mardock before securing a 2:08 fall against Zachary Gleason (University of Oregon) and a gritty 7-5 decision over Umpqua's Kellen Kolka. Valdez capped off the tournament with another 2:08 fall over Carson Cummins (Umpqua CC) in the finals to claim first place.
Guerrera was equally as impressive at 174 pounds, finishing the day unbeaten with three falls and a technical fall victory. He earned a 5:29 fall over Lamonte Sandling, a 2:47 fall over Nelson Wong (Univ. of Washington), and a 2:58 fall over Riley Jones (Umpqua CC). Guerrera sealed the championship with an 18-8 technical fall against UIM's Robert Lee.
In the heavyweight division, Martin recorded two major decisions and two falls. He opened the day with a 14-3 decision over Linfield's Camden Rooffernell before pinning his next two opponents in 2:34 and 1:46. Martin closed out the day with a strong 19-6 victory over Southwestern Oregon's Logan Clayburn.
Eastern Oregon also produced two runner-ups, with Brode Colwell at 133 pounds and Stone Robledo at 197 pounds. After an opening round bye, Colwell advanced to the finals with a 15-8 decision over Casey Watts and a 17-2 technical fall against Western Washington's Saul Bautista before falling in a tight 4-1 decision to Carson Cummins. Robledo also received a first round bye, going on to defeat Umpqua's Hunter Langham before falling to Linfield's Ethan Ensrud in the championship bout.
At 184 pounds, Gabe Vasa battled through a long consolation run to place fourth. After a first round loss, Vasa picked up a 15-0 technical fall, two pins, a 6-2 decision, and a forfeit victory before dropping a close 4-2 decision to Clackamas' Mark DelBosque.
Matix Cooklin also placed fourth at 141 pounds. After beginning with a bye and a loss to No.19 Horacio Godinez, Cooklin fought back with a 15–0 technical fall and two pins to reach the placement match, where he fell to Godinez for the second time.
The Mountaineers now prepare to travel to Marshall, Missouri, to compete in the Missouri Valley Invite on January 23rd.