Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
UC Davis
Fresno State Falls In Season Finale To UC Davis
2/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 18, 2006
Fresno, Calif. - In the final dual match of the season, Fresno State wrestling fans were treated to a fast-paced wrestling match as only three matches ended up going to decision in a 32-13 loss to UC Davis. Junior Greg Gifford provided the top highlight for the Bulldogs, scoring a pinfall in what had been a close match with Tyler Bernacchi, closing out a dual season where he finished a 12-4 record, best on the team.
The Bulldogs started out the evening honoring their lone senior, Garrett Spooner, a four-year veteran with the program on Senior Night as part of the last home dual. After the event, the Bulldogs had a slow start out of the gate, dropping their first four matches, starting with a tight 6-5 decision at 133 pounds won by UC Davis' Omar Gaitan. No. 8 Derek Moore scored a pinfall in the 141-pound match, and Jesse Padilla and Jon Clark both picked up wins on the way to a large lead.
After two forfeits at 165 pounds and 174 pounds, the outcome of the match had been decided, but the best wrestling from the Bulldogs was yet to come. Greg Gifford started the run at 184 pounds, where a close 5-2 match with Tyler Bernacchi came to a quick end, as Gifford was able to turn a takedown into a 5:59 pin. Bulldog wins kept coming, as Cody Parker scored a two-point near fall in the first period of his heavyweight match with Broc Maffia, and pushed through a fast-paced final period, scoring three takedowns to grab an 18-6 major decision.
The evening and the dual season closed out in what was the match of the night at 125 pounds between Cory Borges and Marcos Orozco. Borges was in control through the first period, grabbing a takedown early and riding Orozco through the period to take a 2-0 lead. Orozco came back in the second period, as Cory Borges selected the down position and Orozco made him pay, turning Borges for a three-point near-fall that was nearly a pin, with Borges breaking free of the hold just before the end of the period. With a 3-2 deficit and top position for the final period, Borges started the period with an optional start, giving Orozco a 4-2 lead with the escape. The true freshman immediately went on the attack, getting a takedown to tie the match and then getting a three-point near-fall of his own to take the final dual matchup of the year for the Bulldogs.
Fresno State now has the next two weeks off to prepare for the NCAA Western Regionals on March 4 in Laramie, Wyoming. The Regionals determine which wrestlers will participate in the 2006 NCAA Championships, beginning on March 16.
UC Davis 32, Fresno State 13
February 18, 2006
133 - Omar Gaitan (UCD) dec. Sean Carlson (FS), 6-5
141 - Derek Moore (UCD) fall Garrett Spooner (FS), 4:09
149 - Jesse Padilla (UCD) m.d. Dustin Rocha (FS), 10-1
157 - Jon Clark (UCD) dec. Darrell Goodpaster (FS), 10-7
165 - Frank Richmond (UCD) accepted forfeit
174 - Dustin Noack (UCD) accepted forfeit
184 - Greg Gifford (FS) fall Tyler Bernacchi (UCD), 5:59
197 - Eliot Kelly (UCD) m.d. Miguel Rodriguez (FS), 12-0
HWT - Cody Parker (FS) m.d. Broc Maffia (UCD), 18-6
125 - Cory Borges (FS) dec. Marcos Orozco (UCD), 8-4
