Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, March 3
Tulsa, OK
9 AM PT
Fresno State
vs
Big 12 Championships
Fresno State Wrestling set to compete for first time at the Big 12 Championships [March 3-4]
3/1/2018 5:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Fresno State Wrestling Big 12 Championsips Notes (PDF)2018 Big 12 Wrestling Championships Brackets (PDF)2018 Big 12 Wrestling Championships Seeds (PDF)Big 12 Wrestling Championships Record Book (PDF)
Fresno State Wrestling is back in action this weekend as the 'Dogs are set to make their inaugural trip to the Big 12 Championships on Saturday and Sunday hosted at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
FRESNO, Calif. - After a nearly two-week break, Fresno State Wrestling is back in action this weekend as the 'Dogs are set to compete for the first time at the Big 12 Championships on Saturday and Sunday hosted at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
2018 Big 12 ChampionshipsÂ
Sat & Sun., March 3-4, 2018 • BOK Center • Tulsa, Okla.
Video:Â FloWrestling--->Â http://bit.ly/2oNLDRL
- Finals on Sunday broadcasted on Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket (Non Ducks) at 4 PM PT
Results: FloArena--->Â http://bit.ly/2H0yvR1
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWRES
FINALS Broadcasted on Tape Delay
Saturday, March 3
SESSION I
9:00 AM - Noon: Preliminary Matches (40 matches - 4 mats)
                Quarterfinals (40 matches - 4 mats)
                BOK Center cleared at the conclusion of the last bout
SESSION II
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Semifinals and 1st Round Consolations (60 matches - 4 mats)
                  2nd Round Consolations (20 matches - 4 mats)
                Â
Sunday, March 4
SESSION III
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.: Consolation Semifinals (20 matches - 4 mats)
                     3rd and 5th place matches (20 matches - 4 mats)
                     True Place matches (if necessary)
                     BOK Center cleared at the conclusion of the last bout
SESSION IV
4:00 PM: Finals (10 matches - 1 mat)
Big 12 Wrestling Programs
125 lbs. - No. 10 seed Sean Williams, RSr. (7-16)
Preliminary: vs. No. 7 seed Paul Bianchi, North Dakota State
133 lbs. - No. 12 seed Trevor Williams, Fr. (6-22)
Preliminary: vs. No. 5 seed Matt Schmitt, West Virginia
141 lbs. - No. 12 seed Chris De Loza, Fr. (8-22)
Preliminary: vs. No. 5 seed Henry Pohlmeyer, South Dakota State
149 lbs. - No. 3 seed Khristian Olivas, RSo. (25-5)
Preliminary:Â Bye
Quarterfinals: vs. No. 6 seed Davion Jeffries, Oklahoma (Olivas dec. Jeffries, 5-4, 1/12/18) OR No. 11 seed Jimmy Fate, Northern Colorado (Olivas maj. dec. Fate, 17-5, 1/26/18)
157 lbs. - No. 10 seed Greg Gaxiola, So. (13-16)
Preliminary: vs. No. 7 seed Justin Thomas, Oklahoma (Thomas dec. Gaxiola, 9-2, 12/1/17 & Thomas dec. Gaxiola, 5-3 SV1, 1/12/18)
174 lbs. - No. 11 seed Dominic Kincaid, RSo. (11-20)
Preliminary: vs. No. 6 seed Kyle Pope, Wyoming (Pope won by fall in 1:46, 1/27/18)
184 lbs. - No. 11 seed Richie Brandt, RSo. (8-14)
Preliminary: vs. No. 6 seed Gary Janzter, Utah Valley (Janzter dec. Brandt, 12-9, 1/19/18)
197 lbs. - No. 11 seed Josh Hokit, So. (6-6)
Preliminary: vs. No. 6 seed Tanner Orndorff, Utah Valley (Orndorff dec. Hokit, 9-4, 1/19/18)
285 lbs. - No. 3 seed AJ Nevills, Fr. (26-7)
Preliminary:Â Bye
Quarterfinals:Â vs. No. 6 seed Alex Macki, South Dakota State OR No. 11 seed Connor Webb, Oklahoma (Nevills won by tech. fall over Webb, 18-3, 1/12/18)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quotes
Head Coach Troy Steiner
On thoughts heading into the Big 12 Championships this weekend….
"It is a great thing for Fresno State and now we have to take advantage of it. Everyone has seen each other for the most part to this point so now it is just honing in and preparing for your first match."
On the mindset needed heading into competing in a tournament format….
"You are going in here and you are going to have to put together two, three, four matches together to get yourself through to the NCAA Championships. Even though we have had some struggles this season, those struggles prepare you and prepare your mind and should help prepare them physically as well. They know what they are getting into so they shouldn't get surprised by anything. That is certainly a benefit of having a tough schedule prepares you for and hardens you for time of year."
On Khristian Olivas and AJ Nevills earning No. 3 seeds in their respective weight classes entering the championships….
"It helps them for sure on their way to earning a bid to the NCAA Championships and each of them has a bye in the first round and then they will have to put some matches together. They can't really overlook anyone and the seed is great earning that throughout the season, but that really does not mean much now as we get into the tournament. You have to take each match individually and prepare for that one and can't look ahead to who you may have the following round or you may not be there. You don't know who you may even face so you have to prepare for each guy."   Â
On Fresno State being a part of the Big 12 Championships…..
"I am excited to be back in it. I have never been to the Big 12 Championships growing up in Big Ten country so to go into the Big 12 with the likes of Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Iowa State, it will be a great event to be at. I am looking forward to it and we have a job to do and will try and qualify as many guys as we can to the NCAA Championships as we can."
Â
Redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Khristian Olivas
On preparing to compete at the Big 12 Championships…
"We are very excited for this opportunity to compete against some tough competition and ready to roll."
On earning the No. 3 seed at 149 pounds entering the Championships….
"It does not really matter to be honest. It does put me in a good position in the bracket, but everywhere in the bracket is tough. This tournament is a clean slate and I just have to go in there and prove myself all over again and just wrestle how I usually do."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Two 'Dogs ranked in the third of four NCAA Wrestling Coaches Panel/RPI Rankings
Redshirt sophomore Khristian Olivas at 149 pounds and AJ Nevills at heavyweight continue to be ranked in the top 30 in the third NCAA Wrestling Coaches Panel released last Thursday (Feb. 22). With one final ranking set to be released before the NCAA Championships March 15-17, those will help to determine who will qualify for the 2018 NCAA Championships. Olivas currently checks in No. 22 in the Coaches Panel rankings and No. 23 in the RPI at 149 lbs. while Nevills ranks No. 29 at heavyweight in the Coaches Panel and No. 20 in the RPI.
2018 NCAA Championships Allocations
With the Big 12 allocated 45 automatic qualifiers to the 2018 NCAA Championships, each weight will qualify a different number of wrestlers. 125 pounds will receive the most with seven qualifiers followed by five at 133 lbs., three at 141 lbs., five at 149 lbs., three at 157 lbs., six at 165 lbs., five at 174 lbs., four at 184 lbs and 197 lbs. and three at heavyweight.
Redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Khristian Olivas was named Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 on Wednesday as the Clovis native was the lone Bulldog honored by the conference for stellar academic performance as his second-team nod was for having a 3.0-3.19 GPA.
Bulldog volunteer assistant coach & Valley RTC athlete Joe Colon earns spot on Freestyle World Cup Team
Fresno State Wrestling volunteer assistant coach and Valley Regional Training Center athlete Joe Colon has been named to the 2018 Freestyle World Cup Team.
Set to be hosted at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa on April 7-8, the World Cup is the annual international freestyle dual meet championships and provides a tremendous showcase for the world's best wrestlers just a few weeks after the conclusion of the U.S. college wrestling season.
The World Cup will feature the top eight men's freestyle wrestling teams in the world and this will be the 30th time the United States has hosted the event, the most of any nation. The United States will welcome teams from Cuba, Japan, Georgia, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Wrestling is back in the Valley!
The Red Wave came out in large numbers to support Bulldog Wrestling in the program's first year back in the Valley. Approximately 27,396 combined fans attended the 'Dogs six home duals for an average attendance of 4,566 per dual which by the final count should put Fresno State somewhere in the top 10Â in attendance in the nation.
'Dogs notch first Big 12 victory at Northern Colorado
In a season full of firsts, the Bulldogs picked up their first Big 12 dual victory in program history on Jan. 26 at Northern Colorado topping the Bears, 20-19 on criteria as the 'Dogs edged UNC 60-57 on total team points after the dual ended in a tie at 19-19. Five 'Dogs recorded wins in the victory, including bonus point wins from AJ Nevills at heavyweight with a fall and Khristian Olivas at 149 pounds with a major decision. Sean Williams, Dominic Kincaid and Richie Brandt each won by decision.
'Dogs defeat Cal Poly for first Division I victory
Thanks to seven individual victories, including four bonus-point wins, the 'Dogs notched their first win over a Division I opponent on Jan. 4 defeating Cal Poly, 29-13 at the Save Mart Center. Greg Gaxiola notched a 20-6 major decision at 157 pounds before Isaiah Hokit kept it going at 165 pounds with a 23-8 technical fall win. The dual wrapped up with a pair of falls from Josh Hokit and AJ Nevills at 197 pounds and heavyweight, respectively, to seal the win over the Mustangs.
Fresno State Wrestling returns to the Valley
On Nov. 17, 2017, in front of 6,840 Red Wave supporters, the third-largest dual in program history, Fresno State Wrestling returned to the Valley as the 'Dogs battled Big 10 foe Illinois at the Save Mart Center.
The 'Dogs, who fell in the dual 33-10, came out with three dual wins as Olivas got Fresno State on the board with a 10-2 major decision at 149 pounds over nationally-ranked Eric Barone while Greg Gaxiola followed it up with a 9-5 win at 157 pounds over another nationally-ranked foe in Eric Langenderfer.
The final win for the Bulldogs came at heavyweight as Nevills topped Duece Rachal, 7-5 with a late takedown in the third period.
Up next
All nine Bulldogs competing this weekend will look to qualify for the 2018 NCAA Championships which will be held in Cleveland, Ohio on March 15-17.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter: @Fresno StateWRES
Instagram:Â fresnostatewrestling
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
2018 Big 12 ChampionshipsÂ
Sat & Sun., March 3-4, 2018 • BOK Center • Tulsa, Okla.
Video:Â FloWrestling--->Â http://bit.ly/2oNLDRL
- Finals on Sunday broadcasted on Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket (Non Ducks) at 4 PM PT
Results: FloArena--->Â http://bit.ly/2H0yvR1
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWRES
FINALS Broadcasted on Tape Delay
- ROOT SPORTS (Northwest Region) - Monday, 3/5 5 PT
- FOX SPORTS WEST (Non Angels)Â - Wednesday, 3/7 11 AM PT
- FOX SPORTS SAN DIEGO - Wednesday, 3/7 NOON PT
- FOX SPORTS WEST (Non Kings) - Thursday, 3/8 9 PM PT
- FOX SPORTS WEST (Non Angels) - Friday, 3/9 10 PM PT
- FOX SPORTS SAN DIEGO - Saturday, 3/10 4 AM PT
Saturday, March 3
SESSION I
9:00 AM - Noon: Preliminary Matches (40 matches - 4 mats)
                Quarterfinals (40 matches - 4 mats)
                BOK Center cleared at the conclusion of the last bout
SESSION II
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Semifinals and 1st Round Consolations (60 matches - 4 mats)
                  2nd Round Consolations (20 matches - 4 mats)
                Â
Sunday, March 4
SESSION III
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.: Consolation Semifinals (20 matches - 4 mats)
                     3rd and 5th place matches (20 matches - 4 mats)
                     True Place matches (if necessary)
                     BOK Center cleared at the conclusion of the last bout
SESSION IV
4:00 PM: Finals (10 matches - 1 mat)
Big 12 Wrestling Programs
- Air Force - defeated Fresno State in a dual in the Battle on the Midway in San Diego, 24-12 (11/21/17)
- Fresno State
- Iowa State - defeated Fresno State in a dual in Ames, 26-22 (2/9/18)
- North Dakota State - did not wrestle this season
- Northern Colorado - Fresno State defeated in a dual in Greely, 20-19 (1/26/18)
- Northern Iowa - dd not wrestle this season
- Oklahoma - defeated Fresno State in a dual at the Virginia Duals, 27-8 (1/12/18)
- Oklahoma State - defeated Fresno State in a dual in Fresno, 41-0 (2/18/18)
- South Dakota State - did not wrestle this season
- Utah Valley - defeated Fresno State in a dual in Fresno, 26-12 (1/19/18)
- West Virginia - did not wrestle this season
- Wyoming - defeated Fresno State in a dual in Laramie, 40-6 (1/27/18)
125 lbs. - No. 10 seed Sean Williams, RSr. (7-16)
Preliminary: vs. No. 7 seed Paul Bianchi, North Dakota State
133 lbs. - No. 12 seed Trevor Williams, Fr. (6-22)
Preliminary: vs. No. 5 seed Matt Schmitt, West Virginia
141 lbs. - No. 12 seed Chris De Loza, Fr. (8-22)
Preliminary: vs. No. 5 seed Henry Pohlmeyer, South Dakota State
149 lbs. - No. 3 seed Khristian Olivas, RSo. (25-5)
Preliminary:Â Bye
Quarterfinals: vs. No. 6 seed Davion Jeffries, Oklahoma (Olivas dec. Jeffries, 5-4, 1/12/18) OR No. 11 seed Jimmy Fate, Northern Colorado (Olivas maj. dec. Fate, 17-5, 1/26/18)
157 lbs. - No. 10 seed Greg Gaxiola, So. (13-16)
Preliminary: vs. No. 7 seed Justin Thomas, Oklahoma (Thomas dec. Gaxiola, 9-2, 12/1/17 & Thomas dec. Gaxiola, 5-3 SV1, 1/12/18)
174 lbs. - No. 11 seed Dominic Kincaid, RSo. (11-20)
Preliminary: vs. No. 6 seed Kyle Pope, Wyoming (Pope won by fall in 1:46, 1/27/18)
184 lbs. - No. 11 seed Richie Brandt, RSo. (8-14)
Preliminary: vs. No. 6 seed Gary Janzter, Utah Valley (Janzter dec. Brandt, 12-9, 1/19/18)
197 lbs. - No. 11 seed Josh Hokit, So. (6-6)
Preliminary: vs. No. 6 seed Tanner Orndorff, Utah Valley (Orndorff dec. Hokit, 9-4, 1/19/18)
285 lbs. - No. 3 seed AJ Nevills, Fr. (26-7)
Preliminary:Â Bye
Quarterfinals:Â vs. No. 6 seed Alex Macki, South Dakota State OR No. 11 seed Connor Webb, Oklahoma (Nevills won by tech. fall over Webb, 18-3, 1/12/18)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quotes
Head Coach Troy Steiner
On thoughts heading into the Big 12 Championships this weekend….
"It is a great thing for Fresno State and now we have to take advantage of it. Everyone has seen each other for the most part to this point so now it is just honing in and preparing for your first match."
On the mindset needed heading into competing in a tournament format….
"You are going in here and you are going to have to put together two, three, four matches together to get yourself through to the NCAA Championships. Even though we have had some struggles this season, those struggles prepare you and prepare your mind and should help prepare them physically as well. They know what they are getting into so they shouldn't get surprised by anything. That is certainly a benefit of having a tough schedule prepares you for and hardens you for time of year."
On Khristian Olivas and AJ Nevills earning No. 3 seeds in their respective weight classes entering the championships….
"It helps them for sure on their way to earning a bid to the NCAA Championships and each of them has a bye in the first round and then they will have to put some matches together. They can't really overlook anyone and the seed is great earning that throughout the season, but that really does not mean much now as we get into the tournament. You have to take each match individually and prepare for that one and can't look ahead to who you may have the following round or you may not be there. You don't know who you may even face so you have to prepare for each guy."   Â
On Fresno State being a part of the Big 12 Championships…..
"I am excited to be back in it. I have never been to the Big 12 Championships growing up in Big Ten country so to go into the Big 12 with the likes of Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Iowa State, it will be a great event to be at. I am looking forward to it and we have a job to do and will try and qualify as many guys as we can to the NCAA Championships as we can."
Â
Redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Khristian Olivas
On preparing to compete at the Big 12 Championships…
"We are very excited for this opportunity to compete against some tough competition and ready to roll."
On earning the No. 3 seed at 149 pounds entering the Championships….
"It does not really matter to be honest. It does put me in a good position in the bracket, but everywhere in the bracket is tough. This tournament is a clean slate and I just have to go in there and prove myself all over again and just wrestle how I usually do."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Two 'Dogs ranked in the third of four NCAA Wrestling Coaches Panel/RPI Rankings
Redshirt sophomore Khristian Olivas at 149 pounds and AJ Nevills at heavyweight continue to be ranked in the top 30 in the third NCAA Wrestling Coaches Panel released last Thursday (Feb. 22). With one final ranking set to be released before the NCAA Championships March 15-17, those will help to determine who will qualify for the 2018 NCAA Championships. Olivas currently checks in No. 22 in the Coaches Panel rankings and No. 23 in the RPI at 149 lbs. while Nevills ranks No. 29 at heavyweight in the Coaches Panel and No. 20 in the RPI.
2018 NCAA Championships Allocations
With the Big 12 allocated 45 automatic qualifiers to the 2018 NCAA Championships, each weight will qualify a different number of wrestlers. 125 pounds will receive the most with seven qualifiers followed by five at 133 lbs., three at 141 lbs., five at 149 lbs., three at 157 lbs., six at 165 lbs., five at 174 lbs., four at 184 lbs and 197 lbs. and three at heavyweight.
After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 47 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on Tuesday, March 6. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers. The at-large selections will be made based on the following criteria: head-to-head competition; quality wins; coaches' ranking; results against common opponents; RPI; qualifying event placement; and winning percentage.
Olivas named Second-Team Academic All-Big 12Redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Khristian Olivas was named Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 on Wednesday as the Clovis native was the lone Bulldog honored by the conference for stellar academic performance as his second-team nod was for having a 3.0-3.19 GPA.
Bulldog volunteer assistant coach & Valley RTC athlete Joe Colon earns spot on Freestyle World Cup Team
Fresno State Wrestling volunteer assistant coach and Valley Regional Training Center athlete Joe Colon has been named to the 2018 Freestyle World Cup Team.
Set to be hosted at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa on April 7-8, the World Cup is the annual international freestyle dual meet championships and provides a tremendous showcase for the world's best wrestlers just a few weeks after the conclusion of the U.S. college wrestling season.
The World Cup will feature the top eight men's freestyle wrestling teams in the world and this will be the 30th time the United States has hosted the event, the most of any nation. The United States will welcome teams from Cuba, Japan, Georgia, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Wrestling is back in the Valley!
The Red Wave came out in large numbers to support Bulldog Wrestling in the program's first year back in the Valley. Approximately 27,396 combined fans attended the 'Dogs six home duals for an average attendance of 4,566 per dual which by the final count should put Fresno State somewhere in the top 10Â in attendance in the nation.
'Dogs notch first Big 12 victory at Northern Colorado
In a season full of firsts, the Bulldogs picked up their first Big 12 dual victory in program history on Jan. 26 at Northern Colorado topping the Bears, 20-19 on criteria as the 'Dogs edged UNC 60-57 on total team points after the dual ended in a tie at 19-19. Five 'Dogs recorded wins in the victory, including bonus point wins from AJ Nevills at heavyweight with a fall and Khristian Olivas at 149 pounds with a major decision. Sean Williams, Dominic Kincaid and Richie Brandt each won by decision.
'Dogs defeat Cal Poly for first Division I victory
Thanks to seven individual victories, including four bonus-point wins, the 'Dogs notched their first win over a Division I opponent on Jan. 4 defeating Cal Poly, 29-13 at the Save Mart Center. Greg Gaxiola notched a 20-6 major decision at 157 pounds before Isaiah Hokit kept it going at 165 pounds with a 23-8 technical fall win. The dual wrapped up with a pair of falls from Josh Hokit and AJ Nevills at 197 pounds and heavyweight, respectively, to seal the win over the Mustangs.
Fresno State Wrestling returns to the Valley
On Nov. 17, 2017, in front of 6,840 Red Wave supporters, the third-largest dual in program history, Fresno State Wrestling returned to the Valley as the 'Dogs battled Big 10 foe Illinois at the Save Mart Center.
The 'Dogs, who fell in the dual 33-10, came out with three dual wins as Olivas got Fresno State on the board with a 10-2 major decision at 149 pounds over nationally-ranked Eric Barone while Greg Gaxiola followed it up with a 9-5 win at 157 pounds over another nationally-ranked foe in Eric Langenderfer.
The final win for the Bulldogs came at heavyweight as Nevills topped Duece Rachal, 7-5 with a late takedown in the third period.
Up next
All nine Bulldogs competing this weekend will look to qualify for the 2018 NCAA Championships which will be held in Cleveland, Ohio on March 15-17.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter: @Fresno StateWRES
Instagram:Â fresnostatewrestling
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
Players Mentioned
184/197
/ Wrestling
141
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
157/165
/ Wrestling
197
/ Wrestling
174
/ Wrestling
285
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
133
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