GOLDEN, Colo. -- Bryan Zutavern led a handful of Chadron State men's wrestlers with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Collegiate Open in Golden, Colorado on Sunday.
 
Zutavern, a senior from Dunning, Nebraska, began his day by suffering a fall to Myles Johnson from Air Force but responded with three consecutive victories.
 
After receiving a bye in the first round of consolations, Zutaven pinned his opponent in 5:59 to win. In his next match, he won with a fall in 4:37 before winning with a 13-10 decision for fifth place.
 
A total of four other Eagles wrestled in the open as attached athletes. Of those four athletes, Skyler Geier-Dodson, Adam Kruse and Harrison Gocke each finished 1-2.
 
Geier-Dodson, a junior from North Platte, Nebraska, suffered a 14-13 decision in round one before responding with a fall in 5:43. The junior lost due to sudden victory – 1 to have his day ended.
 
At 149 pounds, Kruse began his day with an 8-6 decision. The sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska, was defeated by tech fall and major decision in his following two matches.
 
Gocke, a senior from York, Nebraska, pinned his first opponent in 1:41 at 165 pounds. After suffering a 12-4 major decision, he was pinned in 4:45 in the consolation quarterfinals.
 
Next on the schedule for Chadron State wrestling is NCAA Regionals on March 1 in Pueblo, Colorado.