Abas Advances to the Semifinals at the NCAA Wrestling Championships

Stephen Abas advanced to the semifinals at the NCAA Championships by beating No. 8 seeded Shawn Williams 8-4.

Abas Advances to the Semifinals at the NCAA Wrestling Championships

3/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling

March 22, 2002

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State's Stephen Abas is just two wins away from a third National Championship at the NCAA Championships in Albany, N.Y.

Abas advanced to the semifinals with an 8-4 victory over Oregon's Shawn Williams in the quarterfinals Friday morning. Abas will wrestle No. 4 seeded Chris Fleeger of Purdue at about 2:30 this afternoon. Abas last beat Fleeger by a 9-0 major decision Jan. 4 at the Purdue vs. Fresno State dual meet.

Junior Eddie Gifford beat No. 10 seeded Ben Heizer of Northern Illinois 4-2 in the second round of consolations Friday morning. Gifford received a bye in the first round of consolations Thursday evening after losing to Jake Stork of Maryland in the first championship round. Gifford will wrestle Tom Tanis of Rutgers in the third round of consolations Friday afternoon.