Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
All-California Tournament
Wrestling Finishes Second At California Collegiates
2/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 4, 2006
Fresno, Calif. - Fresno State put together one of their most complete wrestling performances of the year, using the tournament format to pick up a second place finish at the California Collegiate Invitational. Cody Parker and Greg Gifford won the titles at heavyweight and 184 pounds, and Parker finished the tournament as the Most Oustanding Wrestler.
Fresno State placed eight wrestlers in the tournament, grabbing a finisher in each weight class they wrestled and doubling up at Heavyweight, with Parker taking the title and Wade Sauer finishing third. Parker gained a bit of revenge in the finals, defeating Eric Parker of Cal State Bakersfield, a wrestler that defeated him in the earlier dual match between the teams this year on the way to the Most Outstanding Wrestler nod.
Greg Gifford was one of two Bulldog wrestlers to reach the finals, winning his match against San Francisco State's Richard Escobar to get the championship. Miguel Rodriguez also reached the finals at 197 pounds before losing a 11-7 decision.
In the consolation brackets, the Bulldogs had four wrestlers win the bracket for third place, including Sauer, Cory Borges at 125 pounds, Sean Carlson at 133 pounds, and Garrett Spooner at 141 pounds. In addition, 149-pound Darrell Goodpaster finished fourth.
Spooner picked up the other award at the tournament for Fresno State. The 141-pound senior lost a 17-15 decision in the first round of the tournament to Joe Mavins of Fresno Pacific, but made three pinfalls on the way to a consolation bracket win, receiving the Coach Haddad award for the most falls in the quickest time, recording those three pins in 9:40.
The Bulldogs return home next week for a dual with Cal Poly on Tuesday, Feb. 7. That dual will begin at 7 p.m., and will be held in the North Gym.
