Colorado Mesa Women’s Wrestling, New Program, Rock Solid University

Walk down many city streets and drive through various country sides and they will invariably remind you of others that you have visited.

All you have to do is visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Morrison, Colorado, just 10 miles west of Denver, where concerts are given in the open-air alongside majestic stone and you know that you are in a very unique part of the world.

A place unlike any other.

fcielitecompetitor.com, fciwomenswrestling2.com articles, Red Rocks Amphitheatre Courtesy of Denver Arts & Venues, photo by Stevie Crecelius photo credit via Visit The USA

Colorado Mesa University has contributed to that unique experience by adding the first collegiate women’s wrestling program in the state.

This historic event was chronicled by denver.cbslocal.com who reported on March 6, 2018, “This fall, the Mavericks will field an all-female team, the first in Colorado. It’s also the first university in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference to institute a varsity women’s wrestling program, one of only approximately 15 in the West and fewer than 50 that offer the program in the U.S.”

That is truly exciting and progressive news.

As of this January 2019 writing, the women’s team is coached by Mr. Travis Mercado and led by Freshmen Sierra Brown Ton, from Allen, Texas, who is a five-time Freestyle State Champion…Four-time All-American and Marissa Gallegos of Denver, Colorado who won the Colorado State Championship and was a High School All-American…National Runner-up.

What a great opportunity for serious and talented female high school wrestlers who compete at a high level and achieve good grades who hope to receive a scholarship that will pay for their college education.

Let’s visit this unique university.

“If you like the outdoors, Colorado is a big adventure playground for adults: it’s great for skiing, cycling, climbing, and hiking.”…Tyler Hamilton

Colorado Mesa University (CMU), formerly known as Mesa State College, is a public comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado.

fcielitecompetitor.com, fciwomenswrestling2.com articles, youtube coloradomesa.edu photo credit

The university’s primary campus is in central Grand Junction. The university also has other campuses as well: Bishop Campus, which houses Western Colorado Community College in northwestern Grand Junction; and a regional campus in Montrose, Colorado. Colorado Mesa University grants two-year associate degrees, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees.

Colorado Mesa University offers programs leading to awards in four levels: technical certificates, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and master’s degrees.

That is a general background of information, now we would like to hear some enticing specific details so now we’ll visit the university.

Happy to share at coloradomesa.edu they educate, “At Colorado Mesa, we take great pride in providing educational opportunities and tools that help students succeed in today’s complex and interconnected world. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that support students’ interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.”

Their student body population is very consistent with most of America’s and they speak to that too. “Colorado Mesa University has an enrollment of more than 11,044 students with more than 15 percent of the university’s student body coming from outside Colorado. The student population is 46 percent male, 54 percent female, and 28 percent from traditionally underrepresented groups.

The vast majority of students are traditional-aged students and enrolled in full-time study.

Many students attend college while also working and caring for families, and Colorado Mesa is proud to offer evening, online and distance education classes that allow non-traditional and working students the opportunity to further their educational attainment and advance in their professions.”

That is very impressive.

So is their faculty and we would like for you to meet them.

Their office shares, “The core of the university is our 288 full-time academic and technical faculty members from 13 departments. Additionally, a team of more than 260 carefully selected scholars and professionals serve as part-time instructors. Our faculty creates an environment designed to foster a dynamic exchange of ideas. In addition to teaching, professors serve as academic advisors and collaborate with hundreds of students each year in challenging undergraduate research programs – an experience often found only in graduate programs.”

Everything that we’ve read and heard about Colorado Mesa University is impressive. Now we would like to feel what it would like to be a student there. Here is a hint.

Think outdoors.

They continue, “Colorado Mesa’s main campus encompasses 90 acres in the heart of Grand Junction, Colorado. Nestled between mountains and high-desert canyons, the area is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the country and enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year.

Located at the base of the beautiful San Juan Mountains, the Montrose Campus of Colorado Mesa provides access to a variety of associate and bachelor degree programs in a scenic, smaller community campus setting.”

Imagine that. Three hundred days of sunshine. Sounds a lot like California and Florida.

Their Athletic Department could be described as high achievers. The university has a strong winning tradition as a member of the NCAA Division II and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

The Mavericks have more than 90 conference and regional titles. Currently 27 Colorado Mesa teams compete in intercollegiate varsity sports. CMU offers more than 708 student-athletes the opportunity to earn a degree while competing at a top Division II institution.

Similar to many attractive universities, their success can be attributed to following through on their important mission. What is the primary mission at Colorado Mesa? They enlighten they are, “Committed to a personal approach, Colorado Mesa University is a dynamic learning environment that offers abundant opportunities for students and the larger community to grow intellectually, professionally, and personally. By celebrating exceptional teaching, academic excellence, scholarly and creative activities, and by encouraging diversity, critical thinking, and social responsibility, CMU advances the common good of Colorado and beyond.”

At the informative college review site niche.com, wonderful experiences regarding CMU pour in. Here are two:

“This college has a very beautiful campus with great outdoor activities. Grand Junction is known for its abundance of outdoor recreation so the campus really highlights that aspect. CMU continues to grow as a community and is constantly attempting to improve their student’s lifestyle. Adding new dorms and buildings for classes, this university continues to improve. I would recommend this college to anyone who enjoys biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding or intends on majoring in nursing.”

And one more.

“Colorado Mesa University was the right choice for me and I’m sure it is for you too. It is a wonderful school with a beautiful camps and great professors. The class sizes are the perfect size, your professor actually get to know your name and they really care about your education.”

This higher purpose for the good of Colorado and the nation blends in well with their surroundings.

fcielitecompetitor.com, fciwomenswrestling2.com articles, Two Rivers Convention Center Photo by Aaron Hoffman

It’s time to visit the city of Grand Junction, Colorado. At their welcoming city site visitgrandjunction.com, they smile, “What will you find during your visit to Grand Junction? Awe-inspiring natural beauty and the dramatic red rock landscape of the Colorado National Monument. Exhilarating outdoor adventures including hiking, camping or skiing on the Grand Mesa. Hundreds of miles of world-class mountain biking trails such as the Kokopelli Trail. Incredible whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. Stunning golf courses whose green fairways are juxtaposed against the craggy Redland desert.”

What we also love is how the city leadership has meetings to promote communication and have conversation with the town’s residents. What is an ideal way to do this?

Over coffee.

At the educational city site gjcity.org, they speak to that. “Grand Junction City Manager Greg Caton is hosting a series of informal coffees to interact with community members, gather feedback on City programs and services, and to answer questions.

The sessions are slated to be held monthly in different locations. The City Manager will be joined at the coffees by City Councilmembers or some of the City’s department directors.”

We like that. It is always good to have community participation in the betterment of the city while relaxing and having coffee as you cpmmunicate.

That plan smells like a sweet, soothing aroma.

“There is a great deal of innovation occurring in Colorado, with some of the most brilliant minds and creative startup companies in the world formulating climate-change solutions right in our backyard.”… Jared Polis

The world travelers at Lonely Planet are very aware of this scenic community as well. They offer, “It’s worth browsing downtown Main St, revamped into a pleasant pedestrian mall with fountains, benches and sculptures that capture some small-town atmosphere away from the sprawl.”

We are happy to have had a chance to get a closer look at Colorado Mesa University.

With the addition of a promising female wrestling program, there is one more reason among many to spend time at this innovative and forward thinking university that is rock solid and unique to the world.