Athletics News - February 2019
2018 Cross Country National Champion
PITTSBURGH (Dec. 1, 2018) – As senior Marcelo Laguera (Chihuahua, Mexico) crossed the finish line he grabbed and shook his jersey with CSU-Pueblo across his chest, claiming the 2018 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship. He is the first cross country national champion in program history.
Laguera clocked a time of 31:46.4 on a cold and wet day and on a muddy and slippery path at the Bob O'Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh. He won by seven seconds to the favorite entering the race, Zach Panning of Grand Valley State University.
The ThunderWolves were No. 10 in the national rankings entering the race, but finished 17th with 490 points. GVSU were the national champions with 89 points.
Senior Derrick Williams (Columbia Falls, Mont.) claimed his second Division II cross country (2015) All-American honors, while it marked the 14th All-American award of his career. He finished 22nd with a time of 33:02.5. The 14 career honors are a record for all athletics at CSU-Pueblo.
Laguera is now a four-time All-American honor in cross country. He finished 23rd (31:36.9) at last season's championships and was 22nd (30:58.3) as a sophomore. Laguera was 25th (30:17.2) when he qualified as an individual as a freshman.
This season, he totaled three wins and was runner-up three times, which included finishing second at the regional and conference meets this year to earn all-region and all-league honors.
Senior Alec Choury (Westminster, Colo.) was third for the Pack, as he finished 142nd with a time of 35:08.1.
Freshmen Cole Muñoz (Colorado Springs, Colo.) was fourth for the team with a time of 35:58.7 to finish 197th, while Canaan Lamberth (Colorado Springs, Colo.) placed 204th to close out the scoring for the team. He recorded a time of 36:10.8 to score for the first time this year.
The ThunderWolves made their third consecutive trip to the Division II Championships in just five seasons since re-starting the program. The Pack were seventh last year and were ninth in 2016. All-time, CSU-Pueblo has advanced to the national race on 14 occasions (11 NAIA berths).
"Beat the Winter Blues" Trip Raffle
PUEBLO, Colo. (January 18, 2019) - Colorado State University-Pueblo Athletics has partnered with Health Solutions to bring you the "Beat the Winter Blues" trip raffle.
The raffle features three amazing trips which the winner will have their choice to pick or $1,000 cash. All proceeds will support the CSU-Pueblo Athletic Department.
Tickets are 1 for $20, 3 for $50 or 7 for $100.
To purchase tickets contact Racheal Morris at 719-549-2013 or email racheal.morris@csupueblo.edu.
More about the experiences:
Cancun Paradise
- 5-night stay in a deluxe ocean view guest room at the Westin Resort & Spa Cancun.
- Daily breakfast for 2
- Round-trip coach class airfare for 2 from within the 48 contiguous United States to Cancun, Mexico
Visitors seeking a relaxing beach vacation will delight in Cancun's unparalleled tropical beauty. Most famous for its long white sandy beaches, stunning turquoise waters and vibrant nightlife, Cancun also boasts a rich history and breathtaking archeological sites. Explore ancient Mayan ruins, traditional Mexican villages, and impressive eco-parks. Enjoy a range of activities including championship golf and water sports.
Escape to San Francisco & Sonoma
- 1-night stay in a standard Fairmont room (1 king or 1 queen or 2 queen beds) at the Fairmont San Francisco
- 2-night stay in a standard Fairmont room (1 king or 1 queen bed) at the Fairmont Sonoma
- Daily breakfast for 2
- Tasting for 2 at Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma
- Touring and tasting for 2 at Benziger Family Winery, Sonoma
- Round-trip coach class airfare for 2 from within the 48 contiguous United States to San Francisco or Oakland, Calif.
Enjoy a total of three nights in northern California, exploring the highlights of San Francisco and the rich win country region of Sonoma.
Fairmont Scottsdale Golf & Spa
- $500 in Fairmont gift cards towards golf and/or spa treatments
- 3-night stay in a standard Fairmont room at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- Daily breakfast for 2
- Round-trip coach class airfare for 2 from within the 48 contiguous United States to Phoenix, Ariz.
About Health Solutions:
Your health has always been our priority at Health Solutions. Our service promise to you is "Hope. Health. Together." It's a partnership between you and us. Providing care and compassion, improving your health and quality of life and doing it together. If you are in need of medical or behavioral health services, we've got you covered.https://gothunderwolves.com/news/2019/1/18/csu-pueblo-athletics-pack-athletics-to-raffle-beat-the-winter-blues-trip.aspx
Five recognized as Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention
BROOKFIELD, Ill. (Feb. 5, 2019) - Five members of the Colorado State University-Pueblo football team were named 2018 Don Hansen All-American Honorable Mention.
Named honorable mention All-Americans were Mitchell Carter (So., K, Colorado Springs, Colo.), Preston Guerra (So., TE, Peoria, Ariz.), Brayton Medina (Sr., OL, Colorado Springs, Colo.), Darius Williams (Sr., CB, Gilbert, Ariz.) and Michael Wristen (Sr., DE, Broomfield, Colo.).
Williams is a two-time All-American from the publication as he earned second team laurels in 2017. The honor is the first of the careers for Carter, Guerra and Medina. Wristen, as well as, Williams, have earned an All-American nod from other organizations this offseason.
The Don Hansen team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at age 75 on Aug. 29, 2010. Hansen, from Brookfield, Ill., started and published Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988. Don Hansen's Football Gazette began selecting Division II All-Region squads in 2003.
ALL-AMERICA BIOS
CARTER
Don Hansen All-American Honorable Mention ... Don Hansen All-Region Second Team Offense ... All-RMAC Second Team … All-NFFCC Second Team Special Teams ... RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week twice (Sept, 24 and Oct. 15) … 2018 Finalist for the Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award … Went 57-for-58 this season on extra point attempts ... Was 19-for-28 on field goal attempts (67.9%) ... Carter led the RMAC in field goals made, while his 1.5 FG per game is 5th nationally … With 114 points, Carter was 1st among RMAC kickers and ranks 3rd overall in the conference and 13th nationally in scoring … Was is 8-for-8 from 29 yards and in and 17-for-21 from 39 yards and closer … Connected on a career-long 50-yard field goal at Colorado Mesa … Ranked as 2nd longest in the RMAC this season and top 20 in NCAA Division II in 2018 … It was the first made 50-plus yard field goal for the Pack since 2013.
GUERRA
Don Hansen All-American Honorable Mention ... Don Hansen All-Region Second Team Offense ... All-RMAC First Team Offense … All-NFFCC First Team Offense... RMAC Summit Award Winner … Academic All-RMAC Honor Roll ... Played in all 13 and started nine games at tight end … Utilized as an extension of the offensive line, has helped the Pack produce the No. 14 rushing offense in the nation at 268.6 yards per game at the end of the regular season … The offense recorded 38.8 points per game to sit 19th in the nation at the end of the regular season … CSU-Pueblo ranked third in the conference in least sacks allowed (1.82 sapg) … He added to the run game with 89 yards on 18 attempts and two touchdowns out of the wildcat formation ... Had five receptions for 53 yards.
MEDINA
Don Hansen All-American Honorable Mention ... Don Hansen All-Region Second Team Offense ... All-RMAC First Team Offense … All-NFFCC First Team Offense ... Started all 13 games at left tackle … Helped the Pack produce the No. 14 rushing offense in the nation at 268.6 yards per game during the regular season … Four different running backs finished with 300 or more rushing yards this season … The offense recorded 38.8 points per game to sit 19th in the nation through 11 games … CSU-Pueblo ranked third in the conference in least sacks allowed (1.82 sapg) at the end of the regular season.
WILLIAMS
D2Football.com All-American First Team Defense ... Don Hansen All-American Honorable Mention ... Don Hanson All-Super Region Four Second Team Defense ... All-RMAC First Team Defense … All-NFFCC First Team Defense ... Preseason All-RMAC … NFFCC Player of the Week after a pick six and a fumble recovery in the playoff win at Mines … Selected to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl ... Played in all 13 and started 12 games at corner … Collected 51 tackles with 30 solo efforts to rank tied for fourth on the team … Brought in all three interceptions during the postseason … Recorded 11 pass break-ups to sit second on the team … Gathered nine tackles for loss (-43 yards) with three sacks (-23 yards) … Forced one fumble and recovered one fumble … Took a lateral from a recovered blocked field goal attempt 68 yards to the end zone in the season-opener against Dixie State (Sept. 1).
Brought in 17 career interceptions to rank tied for second all-time at CSU-Pueblo ... Totaled five interception returns for a touchdown, including at least one in each of his four seasons ... Also an All-American as a junior.
WRISTEN
AFCA All-American First Team Defense ... D2Football.com All-American Second Team Defense ... Don Hansen All-American Honorable Mention ... D2CCA All-Super Region Four Second Team ... Don Hansen All-Region First Team Defense ... All-RMAC First Team Defense … All-NFFCC First Team Defense ... Preseason All-RMAC … Started all 13 games at defensive end … Closed the season with 61 tackles (26 solo) … With 18.0 tackles for loss (-73 yards) was third on the team … Tied for the team and RMAC lead in sacks at the end of the regular season and finished the year with 10.0 sacks (-55 yards) … Added two pass break-ups and a recovered a fumble … Blocked a kick on special teams.
Played defensive end for just two seasons and closed his career with 13.5 sacks to rank sixth all-time at CSU-Pueblo.
The 2018 ThunderWolves
The ThunderWolves went 11-2 overall and were ranked No. 10 after the regular season where they went 10-1 with a 9-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference record. The Pack shared the 2018 RMAC Championship with Colorado School of Mines to claim their seventh title in the last eight years and the program's eighth overall conference championship. CSU-Pueblo advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the sixth time since 2011 and avenged its only loss of the regular season with a 37-17 first round victory at Mines. The ThunderWolves then traveled to Minnesota State University, Mankato for a postseason meeting with the No. 1 Mavericks for the second straight year. The Pack suffered a 24-10 setback to end their season. CSU-Pueblo was ranked No. 7 in the final D2Football.com poll and No. 8 in the American Football Coaches Association rankings.
Pack wrestling team is ranked No. 7
PUEBLO, Colo. (Feb. 4, 2019) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo wrestling team is ranked No. 7 heading into the final week of dual and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference competition, as the new set of NCAA Division II National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings were released Monday. The ThunderWolves are preparing to host Colorado Mesa University Thursday for the final home dual and Senior Day beginning at 6 p.m.
The Pack (10-4, 4-1 RMAC) have four wrestlers placed in the nation's top six in the fourth regular season rankings of 2018-19. D'Andre Brumfield (R-Jr., Dallas, Texas) remained at the No. 2 spot and owns a 17-4 overall record and a 12-1 mark in dual competition. Two wrestlers sit at No. 5, as Haszell West (R-Jr., Portland, Ore.) moved up two spots at 197 and remains perfect at 16-0. New to the national rankings is Jasiah Williams (R-So., Portland, Ore.) at 149. He is No. 5 with a 4-2 record (two falls).
Jasiah's older brother Tarrence Williams (Sr., Portland, Ore.) moved up a spot to No. 6 at 184 and owns a 5-0 record.
The ThunderWolves were tied for No. 7 in the last rankings, while the Pack sit at No. 9 in the first edition of the national dual rankings the committee has created.
CSU-Pueblo fell to No. 18 University of Central Oklahoma in its last dual 29-12, but won its most recent RMAC bout 23-11 at home against Colorado School of Mines. One conference loss has the Pack in a four-way tie for first in the RMAC standings with Mines (5-1), Adams State University (5-1) and Western Colorado University (3-1).
The Mavericks are 8-7 overall and 2-2 in RMAC duals. CMU went 1-1 last week with a 21-19 loss to Adams State and a 37-6 victory against New Mexico Highlands University. CMU has one wrestler ranked, as Eduardo Penha sits No. 10 at 141.
Following Thursday's bout, the ThunderWolves will travel to Western to wrap the dual season in Gunnison, Colorado.
The Mountaineers are No. 14 nationally in the new rankings (No 19 in the previous rankings) and have two wrestlers in the top 10. Western has a 11-4 overall record and are 3-1 in league play. The Mountaineers are 3-1 in their last four duals, which includes defeating NMHU 50-0 Saturday. At 174, Brandon Supernaw is No. 1 after securing third at nationals a season ago. Konnor Schmidt sits No. 5 at 184.
CLICK HERE for the probable lineup for the two duals.
The 2018-19 NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Rankings Committee is made up of two coaches from each of the NCAA's six regions this season.
