Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Stanford
Wrestling Stays Hot, Defeats Stanford 16-15
2/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 16, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. - Clint Walbeck's decision win in the heavyweight decision gave red-hot Fresno State a 16-15 come-from-behind road victory over Stanford at Burnham Pavilion on Sunday night.
The win is the Bulldogs' 10th in a row and capped a busy Sunday for the wrestling team. Earlier in the day, Fresno State (13-4) upset 10th-ranked Arizona State 25-14 in the final home match of the season.
The dual began at 125 pounds, and the Bulldogs went behind the eight-ball immediately, losing decisions in the first three matches. Fresno State finally broke through at 149, where Casey Olson, riding high from his victory over ninth-ranked Dana Holland of Arizona State earlier in the day, won a 5-3 decision over Scott Polley.
Stanford (3-12, 1-6 Pac-10) then picked up a stunning result at 157, when Matt Gentry shocked 18th-ranked Jim Medeiros 7-4. The loss snapped Medeiros' 17-match winning streak.
With the score 12-3, the Bulldogs began their comeback behind Ben Baca at 165. The senior made the dual score 12-6 with a 7-4 decision over Garrett Johnson.
The Cardinal added to their lead, however, with a decision at 174, pushing their advantage back to 15-6.
With three matches left, Fresno State needed victories. Greg Gifford helped the cause with an 8-2 decision over John Garfinkel. That was followed up by a clutch major decision win by Marcio Botelho.
Botelho's win made the score 15-13, leaving it up to Walbeck. And the sophomore came through, handling Shawn Ritzenhaler 5-2 to clinch the win for the Bulldogs.
Next up for Fresno State is a road trip to Iowa. The Bulldogs wrestle in road matches on Sunday against Iowa State at noon and Northern Iowa at 5 p.m. The duals wrap up the regular season.
Fresno State 16, Stanford 15
(started at 125)
125 - Nathan Peterson (S) dec. Sal Gonzalez (FS), 9-3
133 - Brad Metzler (S) dec. Joe Stewart (FS), 4-0
141 - Brendon Fox (S) dec. Garrett Spooner (FS) 5-2
149 - Casey Olson (FS) dec. Scott Polley (S), 5-3
157 - Matt Gentry (S) dec. Jim Medeiros (FS), 7-4
165 - Ben Baca (FS) dec. Garrett Johnston (S), 7-4
174 - Harold Penson (S) dec. Sean Sheets (FS), 11-7
184 - Greg Gifford (FS) dec. John Garfinkel (S) 8-2
197 - Marcio Botelho (FS) maj. dec. Larry Ozowara (S), 14-5
285 - Clint Walbeck (FS) dec. Shawn Ritzenthaler (S), 5-2
