ROCK SPRINGS – The Western Wyoming Mustangs showed why they are ranked fourth in the nation as they dominated twentieth-ranked Colby College Monday night, 46-5.

The Mustangs scored four falls and two technical falls on their way to a solid win at home. Top-ranked Cole Verner also enjoyed a little more time off to recover as he won by forfeit.

It was a great team win tonight,” WWCC Head Coach Art Castillo said. “We showed what we are capable of. We scored a lot of match points tonight which generally leads to success.  The guys were also much better from the bottom position which has hindered us early this season.”

Sixth-ranked Tanner Cox set the pace early as he scored a fall in the first match of the night at the 1:18 mark. Marco Frias, fifth-ranked Aspen Naylor and Wade French all scored pins on the night for Western. Shane French and Ryan Winger won by technical falls.

The most exciting match of the night came at 174. Western’s Matt Hebel faced a familiar name, Thomas Galey. The former Riverton wrestler is currently ranked fourth in the nation. Galey led through the first two periods in a low-scoring dual. In the third period, Hebel scored a late takedown to pull the upset over Galey in an 8-7 decision.

“There are many things to be pleased about from our performance,” Castillo continued. “Matt Hebel had a huge win at 174 knocking if the No. 4 guy in the country. At 165 Marco Frias really opened up tonight and when he does that he is very hard to beat and has an exciting style which is fun to watch. Tanner Cox took out the No. 6 ranked 125 pounder in the country in dominating fashion. It’s exciting for everyone when you can score that many points up and down the lineup.”

The Mustangs return to the mat Dec. 1 as they hit the road for the annual Las Vegas swing. WWCC will face North Idaho College before hitting the mats at one of the biggest tournaments in the nation, the Cliff Keen Invitational Dec. 2-3.

“I told the guys to enjoy this for a few days and enjoy the holidays with friends and family before we get back to work on Saturday evening for practice,” Coach Castillo concluded.

WWCC 46, Colby College 5

125 – Cole Verner won by Forfeit

133 – Tanner Cox won by Fall (1:18)

141 – Ricky Navarrete lost by Tech. Fall (16-0 – 3:00)

149 – Samuel Freeman won by Dec. (8-1)

157 – Ryan Winger won by Tech. Fall (19-2 – 3:11)

165 – Marco Frias won by Fall (5:59)

174 – Matt Hebel won by Dec. (8-7)

184 – Shane French won by Tech. Fall (19-2 – 5:29)

197 – Aspen Naylor won by Fall (2:48)

285 – Wade French won by Fall (2:28)