Kearney, Neb. – The Colorado Mesa Mavericks won five straight matches to down second-ranked Nebraska-Kearney, 24-13, Friday night in Grand Junction.

This was the season-opening dual for both teams. Because this is so early in the year, UNK had about half its expected starting lineup take to the mats tonight.

At 133 pounds, junior JD Rader (Jewell, Ia.) was up 4-1 heading into the final period but fell 9-7 to Tim Romero in the first sudden victory period. Romero had three third period takedowns and another in overtime. One weight higher, the Mavs good fortune continued as Eduardo Penha was behind 5-4 before pinning sophomore Wesley Dawkins (Lincoln H.S.) at 6:15.

Sophomore Jonathan Killingsworth (Lincoln S.E.) cut the deficit to 9-6 after an 11-4 decision at 149 pounds. He had a 4-point near fall in the second period and added a point of riding time in the end.

However, CMU took the next five matches, all by decision. True freshman Seth Lathem, a Grand Junction native, used a third period takedown to get by fifth-ranked Zach Stodden (Broomfield, Colo.) at 174 pounds and 11th-ranked Payton Tawater racked up 10 first period points to upset top-ranked Matt Malcom (Glenwood, Ial.) by a 16-11 score at 157 pounds. Malcom's comeback bid include a 4-point near fall in the third but it wasn't enough.

Finally, junior heavyweight Jarrod Hinrichs (Geneva) had four takedowns to win by major decision, 12-2, to conclude the night.

UNK heads to nationally-ranked Western State on Saturday night.