Fresno State Athletics
Wrestling Prepares for a Long Week
12/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 2, 2002
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BULLDOGS PREPARE FOR A LONG WEEK
On Wednesday the Fresno State wrestling team will meet Cal State Fullerton on the mat in Hunington Beach, Calif. Last year, the Bulldogs beat Cal State Fullerton 32-9 by winning seven of ten matches. Assiting in the win both senior Ben Baca (157) and junior Jimmy Mederios (157) won their divisions by major decision and sophomore Marcio Botelho (197) won by pinning his opponent in 2 minutes and 24 seconds. Weigh-ins are at 6 p.m. and the dual starts at 7 p.m. The next day the team leaves for the 21st Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Tournament. The tournament features 45 teams, twelve of which are future opponents. Nine of the 45 are ranked in the top 25 nationally by Intermat Wrestling. The team placed 11th last year. Seniors Eddie Gifford (174) and Ralph Lopez (149) both made it to the quarter- finals in their respective divisons, but lost and were not able to wrestle back to placing rounds.
STRONG SHOWING AT FULLERTON OPEN
Four Fresno State wrestlers won their weight class tournament 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 in his first career action in the 174 weight class. Gifford's brother, Greg, won in his 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 first round to finish first at 197 pound division.
FRIENDLY FOES
Some of Fresno State's finest alumni showed up to wrestle the Bulldogs during an Alumni Match, Nov. 20, at in Fresno State's North Gym. Twelve current wrestlers junior Ben Martinez, sophomore Sean Sheets, sophomore Marcio Botelho, senior Ralph Lopez, junior Casey Olson, senior Eddie Gifford, sophomore Thomas Fragoza, sophomore Joey Guiler, junior Sal Gonzalez, redshirt freshman Jerry Cearley and sophomore Clint Walbeck held their own against the alumni. For the alumni there was Stephan Abas ('02), Billy Blunt('02), Jonte Davis ('00), Tim Cornish('00), Lalo Moz ('97), Yero Washington ('97), and Alfonzo Tucker ('96). There were seven matches and one rematch during tonight's event. The matches were not officially scored but a clock was kept.Coach Dennis DeLiddo was multitasked taking over the PA and referee positions.
