Fresno State Athletics
Weekly Release February 22, 2000
2/23/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 23, 2000
Western Regionals: At A Glance.
Since the Western Athletic Conference dropped wrestling from its sports listings, the Bulldogs will be heading to the Western Regionals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The important event will be taking place on March 4th and will be running all day long. A total of seven teams will be participating in the event: Marquette, Wyoming, Eastern Illinois, BYU, Air Force, and the host team Northern Iowa. Each wrestler will be weighing in two hours before the tournament, which begins at 9 a.m. Seeding will take place on March 3rd at 6:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, near the Norther Iowa University. The breakdown for the tournament goes like this: 10 a.m.-the first round will begin, 11:30 a.m.-the semifinals will take place, 1:30 p.m.-the wrestle backs start, 4 p.m.-the finals and consolations begin (true second matches to follow Wild-card meeting). The tournament will send two wrestlers (champion & Wild-card) in each weight class to the NCAA tournament starting March 18-20.
`Dogs to Watch For in the Western Regionals
Tim Cornish- 157 lbs., Sr., Manhattan, N.Y.
A tough kid from the streets of Manhattan, N.Y., Cornish has developed into one of the steadiest wrestlers on the Bulldog team. He came into the 1997 Fresno State program from Central Connecticut State University and has not looked back ever since. Cornish's accomplishments are many as he has four individual titles under his belt (1998-99 Fullerton Open, 2000 U.C. Davis Tournament and 2000 All-California Invitational). During his Bulldog career, he has recorded a 71-33 overall record with 19 major decisions and five pins.
Paris Ruiz- 133 lbs., Sr., Fresno, Calif.
Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Ruiz has made Fresno, Calif. his home. From Clovis West High School (H.S. All-American) to Fresno City College (JC State Champ at 126 and 134 lbs.), Ruiz dominates the mat. Fresno State is no exception, as he is currently rated No. 6 at 133 pounds by InterMat Wrestling Magazine. Ruiz's track record speaks for itself taking home two individual titles (2000 U.C. Davis Tournament and 2000 All-California Invitational). His Bulldog career totals are 59-16 overall and 25-6 in dual matches.
Don't forget Paris! The Bulldogs 133 pound nationally ranked wrestler Paris Ruiz has established himself as one of the premiere grapplers on the west coast. Ruiz is currently ranked number six in the nation by InterMat Wrestling Magazine. His resume is extremely impressive as he has faced some of the best wrestlers in the nation, only losing to Aaron Holker of BYU, Stanford's Zach Zimmerer, and Joe Warren of Michigan. Each one of those wrestlers are currently ranked in the Top 10 in their respected weight classes. The numbers Ruiz has put up are equally impressive as he is 29-3 overall and 16-1 in dual matches, he has put four wrestlers on their backs for wins. The 133 pound senior either owns or shares a piece of four major team categories.
Bulldogs: At A Glance. Fresno State starters have a combined overall record of 211-121, 23 pins, 48 major decision wins, 10 technical fall victories and 1878 points have been scored during all the matches this year. The `Dogs took the team title at the annual All-California Tournament in San Francisco, Calif.
More `Dogs To Watch For At The Western Regionals
Matt Demers- 165 lbs., Jr., Modesto, Calif.
Born in Santa Cruz, Calif., Demers has already reached the 1999 NCAA championships as a qualifier, to reach that level he took third place at the WAC championships and entered the big dance as a wild-card entry. This year the often injured Demers has recorded an overall record of 15-10, with a 6-4 dual match mark. Demers went to the NCAA's with an 14-8 overall record in 1999.
Dan Jackson- 174 lbs., So., Kingsburg, Calif.
This Central Valley product has recorded an overall mark of 23-12 (13-6 duals) with four of those wins coming by pin (two major decisions and one technical fall victory). Finished in second place at both the All-California and Fullerton tournaments. Last year, Jackson took second at the WAC championships and had a overall record of 19-14.
