Trojans Show Mettle at Fort Hays State’s Bob Smith Open
Decembrer 7, 2025
The Colby Community College Trojan wrestling team returned to action December 7 at the Bob Smith Open in Hays, using the event to shake off post-Thanksgiving rust and measure themselves against a field stacked with four-year programs. Head coach Joseph Cornejo said the day unfolded much as he anticipated, with athletes working to regain pace, conditioning, and mat awareness after the break.
One of the strongest highlights came from 149-pounder Scotty Engle, who ripped through the backside of the bracket with three consecutive pins, finishing with a team-best 8.0 points. After an early loss to Fort Hays State’s Jarret Mader, Engle immediately found rhythm in Consolation Round 3, where a scramble late in the first period turned into a momentum-setting pin over Adams State’s Travis Vialpando.
He continued the surge in Consolation Round 4, torching Fort Hays Tech’s Drake Mahoney with a fast takedown, four back points, and a half-nelson finish for a second straight fall.
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Engle saved his most complete effort for Consolation Round 5 against Adams State’s Aaron Zamora. After heavy hand-fighting and strong shot defense, Engle worked through several low-level attacks before converting a clean takedown and building a 9-1 lead with additional back points. Choosing top to begin the second period, he secured four near-fall points almost instantly and stayed in command until finishing the match with another pin.
His run finally ended in Consolation Round 6, where Newman University’s Colby Schreiner outpaced him in key scrambles to win 11-7. Even so, Engle’s aggression and work rate left an impression.
Cornejo said Engle and 133-pounder Talon Suttles set the tone for the program with their commitment to improvement. Suttles picked up two bonus-point victories, including a major decision and a fall, before exiting in the later rounds.
“The day went kind of as expected,” Cornejo said. “Being the week back from break, we had to get them back in college wrestling and conditioned mode. This was a tournament to get out the rust. We wrestled some close matches and lost some tough ones to a lot of four-year kids.”
He added that the most encouraging signs came from wrestlers who trusted their technique and training.
“The success I’ve seen came from the ones fully buying in,” Cornejo said. “Others are just young, and we are working on the confidence to transition what they do in the room to the mat. Talon and Scotty are two of the hardest workers in our room. They are going to do great things for this program.”
Around the Trojan lineup
While Engle and Suttles led the scoring, several Trojans added valuable mat time and competitive experience across the bracket. Tevin Jackson went 1-2 at 125 pounds, Sammie Cyrus 1-2, and Tate Blackwill 0-2. At 133, Luis Vasquez finished 0-2, while Suttles closed at 3-2. At 141, Savieon Garrison went 0-2, and Sebastian Rodriguez also finished 0-2.
At 157, Colby entered four wrestlers: Ayden Wohlgemuth (0-2), Jovanny Arellanes (0-2), Hunter Smith-Velarde (1-2), and Robert Cazares (1-2). At 174, Gunner Owens went 0-2. At 184, Kash Alley also finished 0-2. Heavyweights Kevaun Jones (1-2) and Robert Tatum (2-2) each earned wins, with Tatum adding a pin in consolation action.
With the Bob Smith Open behind them, the Trojans now refocus on building momentum heading into the winter stretch, aiming to convert lessons from Hays into sharper performances in the weeks ahead.