KEARNEY, Neb. (November 20, 2021) - The Colorado State University Pueblo wrestling team made its season debut Saturday, competing at the Younes Hospitality Open hosted by University of Nebraska Kearney. The ThunderWolves had seven wrestlers place including three finalists guided by a first place finish from Gabriel Taboa (Fr., Jerome, Idaho) at 125 lbs. in the Amateur Bracket.

Taboa went 5-0 on the day and recorded four pins in his five matches. The freshman grappler posted a 12-5 decision in the semifinals and clinched the title with a pin at 2:16.

Ben Gould (So., Canyon Country, Calif.) finished in second place at 197 lbs in the Elite Bracket. Gould earned a sudden victory in the semifinal match to earn a spot in the final. He finished the day with one fall and a pair of decision wins.

Gavin Nye (R-Jr., Gerber, Calif.) placed second in the 285-pound bracket after falling 3-1 in a sudden victory in the finals. His day included a pair of pins including one at 4:38 in the semifinals.

Also in the Amateur Bracket, Conor Goucher (Fr., Orting, Wash.) finished fourth at 141 lbs. and recorded a pair of tech fall shutout victories.

Finishing in fifth place at 157 Elite, Justin Davis (R-Jr., Pueblo, Colo.) had a strong day and Zion Freeman (R-Fr., Pueblo, Colo.) picked up a pin and a major decision victory for his fifth place finish.

Jayson Davis (So., Pueblo, Colo.) competed in the 285 Elite Bracket and earned three falls en route to a sixth place finish.

"After a long two years we showed much improvement with our team today," said Pack Head Coach Dax Charles. "Placing 7 with three finalists and 1 champ who won the outstanding wrestler award is a great start for us. Our team still has a long way to go but they are showing improvements and today was a good day to be a ThunderWolf!"

CSU Pueblo returns to action in two weeks on December 4 at the Doug Moses Open hosted by New Mexico Highlands.