Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Get Set for West Regional
2/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 26, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - WEST REGIONAL
Fresno State travels to Colorado Springs, Colo., for the West Regional on March 6. The West Region includes Fresno State, Northern Iowa, Air Force, Eastern Illinois and Wyoming. None of these schools are in a conference for the sport of wrestling, so the West Regional tournament serves as their NCAA Championship qualifier. Bids to nationals are awarded based on individual performances. The West Region is allotted 23 bids. Ten bids are given automatically to the champion of each division. The remaining 13 bids go to the most deserving wrestlers. This is decided by the head coaches of all participating schools immediately following the conclusion of the tournament. Last season the Bulldogs took third behind Northern Iowa and Wyoming, respectively. Fresno State also qualified five wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in 2003.
BULLDOGS UPSET WYOMING
Fresno State beat a ranked opponent for the first time this season as it narrowly defeated No. 25 Wyoming 18-17 Friday night. The Bulldogs won five of the ten matches, including a win by forfeit in the 149 division. It was also senior night as three wrestlers said farewell to the North Gym. Fresno State's seniors are Ben Martinez (Pixley, Calif.), Casey Olson (Clovis, Calif.) and Joe Stewart (Modesto, Calif.).
END OF REGULAR SEASON
Fresno State's regular season came to a close on Friday night with its win over Wyoming. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 7-11 record, its worst win percentage since 1982, head coach Dennis DeLiddo's first season with the team. Despite their losing record, the Bulldogs achieved a lot this season. Fresno State set a new West Coast attendance record for a wrestling dual meet Jan. 6 when nearly 10,000 fans came to the Save Mart Center to watch the Bulldogs dual second-ranked Iowa State. DeLiddo also won his 300th dual meet this season. He is estimated to be just the 14th coach in the NCAA to reach 300 wins.
RANKINGS UPDATE
Three Bulldog wrestlers remain in the national rankings. Junior Clint Walbeck (Clovis, Calif.) is the highest ranked wrestler on the team with his No. 7 spot in the heavyweight division. Walbeck has a 26-3 record with nine wins by pin. He has won 13 consecutive matches to date. Junior Marcio Botelho (Lemoore, Calif.) is 10th in the nation in the 197 division, despite only wrestling nine matches this season. The All-American wrestler has been rehabilitating an injured knee, but is expected to be ready to wrestle for the post season. Olson is ranked No. 15 in the 149 division. He has a 25-8 record and has upset many higher ranked opponents this season, including No. 4 Trent Paulson in a sudden death 8-7 thriller. Fresno State has been out of the team rankings for the past three weeks.
