LAS VEGAS, N.M. (January 21, 2023) - The Colorado State University Pueblo wrestling squad suffered a heartbreaking 19-18 loss on the road Saturday at New Mexico Highlands despite picking up five wins on the night. 

The ThunderWolves night was highlighted by a win by fall from Tytus Coombs in the 174 pound match.

Elijah Valdez, Ben Gould, Dominick Castro and Michael Atencio also picked up decision wins for the Pack.

The Pack led 18-13 going into the final match of the evening.

The dual was started at the 157 pound match featuring Cyruss Meeks against NMHU's Evan Kilgore. Meeks carried a 2-1 lead after the first period after earning a takedown early on.

Kilgore took the lead in the second period after scoring a takedown and near fall for six match points. Meeks earned another takedown in the third period but Kilgore was able to earn two escape points and another takedown to come away with an 11-6 win.

In the next match at 165 pounds, Valdez faced Colin Brown from NMHU and managed two takedowns and capitalized on a riding time point for a 5-2 victory.

At 174 pounds, Coombs tallied a win by fall at 4:15 against Thomas Tolbert.

In the 184 pound match-up, Cameron Nesbitt faced Lance Kilgore and the duo battled to a 2-2 tie through two periods. Starting the final period neutral, Kilgore was able to earn two takedowns and earned a riding time point to score a 7-3 win.

Donn Greer wrestled in the 197 pound bout against Zachary Ferris and after a scoreless first period, Ferris started period two on the bottom and earned an escape point which proved to be the difference in a 1-0 victory.

At 285 pounds, Gould scored a 4-1 decision win over Kioni Benally after earning an escape point in the second period and in the final period, Gould scored a takedown and took advantage of a riding time point for the win.

In the 125 pound match and after a scoreless opening period, Castro came alive on offense and took a 1-0 lead after two periods with an escape. In the last period, Castro recorded a four-point near fall along with one escape to come away with a 6-2 win.

At 133 pounds, Marquis Kemp lost 10-2 against Andres Jiron of NMHU, scoring four points for the home team.

Atencio was next up at 141 pounds against Joseph Misitano and used a strong third period, scoring all three points in the period for a 3-1 victory.

Carrying an 18-13 lead going into the final match of the evening at 149 pounds, CSU Pueblo's Devin Lueck was on defense from the opening whistle before falling at 3:28 against NMHU's Deklyn Miller, giving the Cowboys six team points and a one-point victory overall.

CSU Pueblo (6-3, 1-1 RMAC) returns home and starts a three-match home stand starting Friday against Colorado School of Mines and on Saturday, the ThunderWolves welcome Chadron State to Massari Arena. Both duals are scheduled to start at 6 p.m.