Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Fullerton
Wrestling Shines at Fullerton Open
11/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 24, 2002
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FULLERTON, Calif. - Four Fresno State wrestlers won their weight class at the Fullerton Open Saturday. Junior Jim Mederios (157 pounds), senior Eddie Gifford (174 pounds), freshman Greg Gifford (184 pounds) and sophomore Marcio Botelho (197 pounds) all placed first for the Bulldogs.
Medrios reeled off five victories including one each by way of fall and technical fall to win the 157 pound bracket. In the finals, he outlasted Dustin Vance 3-2, to finish first out of 29 competitors. The Fremont, Calif., native placed fourth in his only other Fullerton Open as a freshman.
After a first round bye, Eddie Gifford outscored his opponents 69-18 over his next four matches to finish first in his first action at 174. Gifford's brother, Greg, won in his first competition at the collegiate level. Greg recorded five victories including a 10-0 shutout of Bakersfield's Bryan Travers in the quarterfinals. He defeated Golden West's Jesse Jaurez by default in the championship match. Fresno State freshman Anthony Rubalcava bounced back from a second round loss to win the consolation bracket and wind up third at 184.
Botelho recorded four impressive victories en route to his tournament title, winning three of his four matches by falls. In the finals, Botelho pinned Cal Poly's David Schenk 40 seconds into the match to finish first in the 197 pound division.
In the 282 pound class, Fresno State sophomore Clint Walbeck dropped a 4-3 decision to Cal Poly's Dan Howe in the finals to finish second while freshman Jerry Cearley placed sixth. FS sophomore Joe Guiler took fourth at 125 and junior Casey Olson was third at 141.
The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday, Dec. 4, when they compete at the Fullerton Duals beginning at 7 p.m.
Fullerton Open Finals
157- Jim Mederios (Fresno State) def. Dustin Vance (CS Fullerton), 3-2
165- Brody Barrios (Cal Poly-U) def. Sean Sheets (Fresno State), 11-4
174- Eddie Gifford (Fresno State) def. Chris Carlino (CS Fullerton), 5-1
184- Greg Gifford (Fresno State) def. Jesse Juarez (Golden West), default
197- Marcio Botelho (Fresno State) def. David Schenk (Cal Poly-U), pin (0:40)
Hvy- Dan Howe (Cal Poly-U) def. Clint Walbeck (Fresno State), 4-3
