Fresno State Athletics
Wrestling Prepares for Regionals
3/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 4, 2003
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WRESTLING AT REGIONALS
The Bulldogs had a week to rest but now they are just a week away from the NCAA West Regionals. The Regionals will be held at Lantz Arena on Saturday in Charleston, Ill. Senior Eddie Gifford, who missed five dual matches after sustaining a knee injury almost a month ago, is expected to wrestle.
TOP DOGS
Senior Eddie Gifford and sophomore Marcio Botelho are ranked 12th and 20th, respectively, by InterMat Wrestling. In the Bulldogs' last two regular season matches, Botelho beat Iowa's Woodey Milord but lost a match against Northern Iowa's Sean Stender. Botelho has an overall dual record of 31-6 and a dual record of 15-2. Gifford has an overall record of 26-6 and a dual record of 10-2. Gifford has missed the last five duals in order to heal a knee injury.
BULLDOGS WINNING STREAK SNAPPED
The Bulldogs were swept up in their first match Feb. 23 against the No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones 34-8. The second match of the day also proved to be fatal for the 'Dogs, who lost 35-3 against No. 13 Northern Iowa. With five ranked wrestlers, the Cyclones swept up two pins and two technical fall victories. Fresno State managed a win in the 157 division. Junior Jim Medeiros won by decision, 7-3, with three takedowns over Nathan Meyer. No. 20 Marcio Botelho worked hard for a technical fall over Woodley Milord. Botelho scored nine takedowns in the match. The loss snapped the Bulldogs' 10-match winning streak. Jim Medeiros would be the only Bulldog to win a match against Northern Iowa. Medeiros scored a 7-2 decision win over Chris Bitetto. The Panthers managed one pin, one technical fall and two major decision wins.
GRAPPLERS PIN DOWN TWO WINS IN A DAY
The 16-15 win against Stanford on Feb. 16 was the Bulldogs' 10th in a row. The dual began at 125 pounds, and the Bulldogs lost by decisions in the first three matches. Fresno State finally broke through at 149, where Casey Olson won a 5-3 decision over Scott Polley. With the score 12-3, the Bulldogs began their comeback behind Ben Baca at 165. 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. The sophomore came through, handling Shawn Ritzenhaler 5-2 to clinch the win for the Bulldogs. Fresno State wasted no time taking the first three matches in their win over No. 10 Arizona State 25-16. Starting the dual at 125 sophomore Sal Gonzales scored seven takedowns in his 16-8 victory over Sun Devil Adam Chivara. Four of Gonzalez's seven takedowns were scored in the third period. At the 141 division junior Casey Olson scored the first takedown against No. 9 Dana Holland. Olson then scored a near fall in the second period and managed to escape three of Holland's takedowns in the third period. Fresno State forfeited the 149 division. Senior Ben Baca at 165 kept the Bulldogs afloat with his decision win over No. 16 Nick Frost. Baca scored one takedown and a reversal in the 7-5 victory. In the 184 division freshman Greg Gifford pinned Sun Devil Ron Renzi with 1:56 left in the first period. The Bulldogs put up one more win when No. 20 Marcio Botelho scored a decision win over Ryan Bader, 9-2.
