Fresno State Athletics
Wrestling Takes 11th at Las Vegas Invitational
12/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 2, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldog wrestling team placed 11th in the 53-team Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Saturday. Two Fresno State wrestlers placed in the meet.
Senior Stephen Abas, ranked No. 1, won the 125 division title going 5-0 in the tournament. He beat Nebraska's Jason Powell by a 13-2 major decision in the finals. Abas was given the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler award. He is the first ever four-time champion at the 20th annual tournament.
Ninth-ranked senior Derrick Hayes took sixth place at the meet in the 133 division. Hayes was 2-0 before falling to Brandon Lauer of West Virginia in the quarterfinals. Hayes wrestled back in the consolations for fifth place, but lost to Travis Drake of Appalachian State by a 3-1 decision.
Juniors Ralph Lopez (141) and Eddie Gifford (165) made it to the quarterfinals of their respective divisions, but lost and were not able to wrestle back to placing rounds.
Michigan won the team title while second and third place went to West Virginia and Lehigh respectively.
Fresno State wrestles Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, December 8 at home at 7 p.m.
