GOLDEN – Consecutive wins by Alec Bird (197) and Robert Tucker (285) put the finishing touches on a back-and-forth, come-from-behind 25-21 dual victory for Colorado Mines over New Mexico Highlands on Saturday in RMAC wrestling action at Volk Gymnasium in Golden.

The Orediggers (2-4, 1-3 RMAC) got wins from Chad Lousberg, Steven Kelly, Jordan Larsen, Bird and Tucker, as well as a forfeit victory from Elias Arias to capture the win.

With their wins, eighth-ranked wrestlers Kelly and Larsen each stayed undefeated in duals and conference duals this season, and Kelly recorded his 20th victory of the year (20-7).

With two matches remaining and trailing 21-19, Bird battled with Justin Rockhill at 197-pounds throughout the entire seven-minute match. After surrendering the lead in the third period, 4-3, Bird got a reversal with just one second remaining to capture the decision victory and put Mines ahead 22-21.

Robert Tucker was then given the task of preserving the victory and came away with a 3-2 victory in the second overtime to seal the Orediggers first conference dual win of the season.  

The Orediggers will next be in action on Saturday, Feb. 11, when they travel to Chadron, Neb., for a dual matchup with Chadron State.

                                                                                                                                                    CSM         NMHU
Dual Match Results                                                                                                                     Running Score
125 Elias Arias (Mines) won by forfeit                                                                                           6             0
133 Edward Zuckerman (NMHU) won by pin over Tanner Taylor (Mines) 1:52.                            6             6
141 Chad Lousberg (Mines) won by tech fall over Robert Lopez (NMHU) 4:13 15-0.                   11             6
149 Chris Rubalcaba (NMHU) won by pin over Cory Wittwer (Mines) 2:26.                                 11             12
157 #8 Steven Kelly (Mines) won by decision over Travis Saxon (NMHU) 4-2.                            14             12
165 #8 Jordan Larsen (Mines) won by tech fall over Christopher Apodaca (NMHU) 4:36 16-1.  19             12
174 Easton Hargrave (NMHU) won by pin over Chance Davis (Mines) 4:46.                               19             18
184 Igor Gomzin (NMHU) won by decision over Ryan Swanson (Mines) 5-3.                               19             21
197 Alec Bird (Mines) won by decision over Justin Rockhill (NMHU) 5-4.                                      22             21
285 Robert Tucker (Mines) won in double overtime over Louis Thornton (NMHU) 3-2.                25             21