Hillhouse returns home, takes 133-pound title in season opener

Pack newcomer returns to his junior college to take championship.

POWELL, Wyo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Nov. 5, 2011) - Several ThunderWolf wrestlers opened their seasons Saturday at the Northwest (Wyo.) College Open, and newcomer former Northwest Trapper, Jesse Hillhouse (Jr., Casper, Wyo.), roared to the 133-pound title.

Hillhouse went a perfect 5-0 en route to the championship, defeating University of Wyoming starting 133-pounder, Michael Martinez, in the championship match by a 4-3 margin.  Defeating Martinez is no small feat - he is a defending three-time Division I West Regional champion.

Hillhouse was joined in the championship matches by Matt Addington (So., Florence, Colo.), who powered his way to the championship before losing to Division I Utah Valley's Ethan Smith, a transfer from Purdue.

Also turning in a notable day was Levi Jutila (Jr., North Pole, Alaska), going 5-2 at 157 pounds.  He lost twice - both times to University of Great Falls junior, Mike Vassar, a two-time junior college All-American.  Jutila was on the short end in his first match, drawing Vassar in a loss, and meeting him again in the consolation championship match.

CSU-Pueblo will begin to kick its season into high gear next week, giving locals a preview of the team with the Red/Blue Intrasquad at CSU-Pueblo next Wednesday before heading to the Wyoming Cowboy Open next Saturday.