Fresno State Athletics
Thursday, March 15
Cleveland, OH
9 AM PT
Fresno State
vs
NCAA Championships
Players Mentioned
184/197
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
157/165
/ Wrestling
197
/ Wrestling
174
/ Wrestling
285
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
Olivas & Nevills head to Cleveland for NCAA Wrestling Championships (March 15-17)
3/13/2018 2:30:00 PM | Wrestling
2018 NCAA Championships Page2018 NCAA Wrestling Championships Brackets (PDF)NCAA Championships Notes (PDF)
Redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Khristian Olivas and freshman heavyweight AJ Nevills of Fresno State Wrestling are set to compete at the 2018 NCAA Championships Thursday through Saturday hosted at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
FRESNO, Calif. - Redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Khristian Olivas and freshman heavyweight AJ Nevills of Fresno State Wrestling are set to compete at the 2018 NCAA Championships Thursday through Saturday hosted at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
2018 NCAA Wrestling ChampionshipsÂ
Thu.-Sat., March 15-17, 2018 • Quicken Loans Arena • Cleveland, Ohio
Video: ESPN, ESPN2Â & ESPNUÂ (Check schedule below)
Results:Â FloArena
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWRES
2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships ScheduleÂ
Â
ESPN Analysts:
149 lbs. -Â Khristian Olivas, RSo. (26-7 overall record)
First Round (9 AM PT): vs. No. 9 seed Max Thomson (Northern Iowa) - 25-7 overall record
285 lbs. - No. 3 seed AJ Nevills, Fr. (28-8)
First Round (9 AM PT): vs. No. 4 seed Jacob Kasper (Duke) - 35-2 overall record
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quotes
Head Coach Troy Steiner
On thoughts heading into the NCAA Championships this week….
"It is a great start for the program to be sending two wrestlers to the national championships in Khristian and AJ. They have both been very consistent all season in competition and that is why they are there."
On what helped them get to this level….
"They competed really well and when things got tough during the season, they kept moving forward. I am looking forward to seeing them compete on this stage."
On the type of leaders Olivas and Nevills have been for the Bulldogs this season….
"These guys have been great leaders for the program, not just on the mat, but in the classroom and they have been great leaders for the rest of the team. We just need to continue to build from this point and hopefully they have an opportunity to be on the award stand at the end of the day on Saturday."
On getting ready for the first-round opponents…..
"We have watched quite a bit of video on their competitors and never really look too much past the first round and once we know where they are, we focus on the next guy. We are just working on individual skills that they are going to need to execute to be successful and another big piece is preparing the mind for the stage because if you are not ready for it, it will get them. They both have been to the NCAA Championships as spectators before so they have been able to visualize themselves in this opportunity."
Â
Redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Khristian Olivas
On his first-round matchup against ninth-seeded Max Thomsen of Northern Iowa....
"He is in the Big 12 so I have seen him a lot and two of my coaches (Joe Colon and Blaize Cabell) went to Northern Iowa so they are familiar with him and have been helping me get ready."
On waiting to find out if he got an At-Large berth last week...Â
"I was nervous, but I had a good idea I would make the field so I stayed strict on my diet and knew I would make it to the NCAA's and thankfully it worked out well."
On outlook heading into the NCAA Championships....
"I have watched this tournament for so long growing up so it is very exciting to be apart of it."
On what helped him reach the NCAA Championships this season....
"I come into the room everyday looking to get better and the coaches tell us to have a goal everyday we come in to the room and I like to go at a hard pace the entire practice so I am ready for the matches."
Freshman heavyweight AJ Nevills
On his first-round matchup against fourth-seeded Jacob Kasper of Duke....
"Both of my brothers have wrestled him before so I am familiar with him. I have been watching him a lot and getting familiar with him."
On outlook heading into the NCAA Championships....
"I feel very well prepared and am excited to wrestle my best. It is a big tournament and there a lot of people there so I am trying to get my mindset right."
On what he learned from the Big 12 Championships that he will try to carry over to this week...
"I have to keep the guys I am wrestling in my positions and do the best that I can."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fresno State finishes 11th at first Big 12 Championships
The Bulldogs competed at their first Big 12 Championships on March 3-4 in Tulsa, Okla., placing 11th overall with 26.5 points as the 'Dogs had a pair of placewinners in Nevills and sophomore 197-pounder Josh Hokit. Nevills placed runner-up at heavyweight while Hokit narrowly missed the NCAA Championships field placing fifth at 197 pounds.
Olivas earns At-Large bid to the NCAA Championships
Olivas earned an At-Large bid to the NCAA field on March 6 after finishing the season with a 26-7 overall record posting a 17-3 mark in dual meets leading the 'Dogs with nine wins by major decision and ranked second with five falls, nine wins by decision and 26 wins.
Fresno State NCAA Wrestling Championships History
The Bulldogs have had 21 individuals earn 33 All-American honors in program history as eight have earned multiple honors, including Gerry Abas (1992-95) and Stephen Abas (1998-99, 2001-02) who are the 'Dogs ony two four-time All-Americans.
Olivas named Second-Team Academic All-Big 12
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.
"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 NCAA Wrestling ChampionshipsÂ
Thu.-Sat., March 15-17, 2018 • Quicken Loans Arena • Cleveland, Ohio
Video: ESPN, ESPN2Â & ESPNUÂ (Check schedule below)
Results:Â FloArena
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWRES
2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships ScheduleÂ
Â
| Date | Time (PT) | Session | Network/ ESPN App Link |
Number of ESPN3 Mat Feeds |
| Thu, March 15 | 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | First Round | ESPNU/ http://es.pn/2Fcwq71 | Eight Mats  |
| 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Second Round | ESPN/ http://es.pn/2HVAlna | Eight Mats | |
| Fri, March 16 | 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Third Round – Quarterfinals | ESPNU/ http://es.pn/2ox0vEX |
Eight Mats |
| 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Fourth Round – Semifinals | ESPN/ http://es.pn/2CSdFR7 |
Six Mats | |
| Sat, March 17 | 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Fifth Session - Medal Round | ESPNU/ http://es.pn/2F4h0CF | Three Mats |
| 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Sixth Session – Championship Finals | ESPN2/  http://es.pn/2F4KWi6 |
One Mat |
ESPN Analysts:
- Tim Johnson: The "voice of college wrestling" returns once again to ESPN's coverage, having been a part of it for more than a decade. Named the 2007 broadcaster of the year by the National Wrestling Media Association. His broadcasting and leadership roles in the sport of wrestling span more than 30 years, including being the director of wrestling for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984. Inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as the recipient of the prestigious Order of Merit award honoring a lifetime of contributions to the sport of wrestling.
- Anthony Robles: Now in his seventh year as an ESPN analyst, the Arizona State graduate is a three-time All-American and a 2011 NCAA National Champion. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012 and was a Medal of Courage honoree in 2012
- Jim Gibbons: Gibbons is a former NCAA Wrestling Coach of the Year, three-time All-American, two-time Big Eight winner at Iowa State and later won an NCAA National Championship as the Cyclones head coach. He was inducted in the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.Â
- Lee Kemp:Â Won three NCAA National Championships as a wrestler at Wisconsin and three gold medals in the World Championships. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1990.
- Billy Baldwin: A former standout wrestler at Binghamton University turned actor, Baldwin will be a guest analyst throughout the three days for the second straight year. He was a leader in keeping the sport in the Olympic Games having joined USA Wrestling's Committee to Preserve Olympic Wrestling.
149 lbs. -Â Khristian Olivas, RSo. (26-7 overall record)
First Round (9 AM PT): vs. No. 9 seed Max Thomson (Northern Iowa) - 25-7 overall record
285 lbs. - No. 3 seed AJ Nevills, Fr. (28-8)
First Round (9 AM PT): vs. No. 4 seed Jacob Kasper (Duke) - 35-2 overall record
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quotes
Head Coach Troy Steiner
On thoughts heading into the NCAA Championships this week….
"It is a great start for the program to be sending two wrestlers to the national championships in Khristian and AJ. They have both been very consistent all season in competition and that is why they are there."
On what helped them get to this level….
"They competed really well and when things got tough during the season, they kept moving forward. I am looking forward to seeing them compete on this stage."
On the type of leaders Olivas and Nevills have been for the Bulldogs this season….
"These guys have been great leaders for the program, not just on the mat, but in the classroom and they have been great leaders for the rest of the team. We just need to continue to build from this point and hopefully they have an opportunity to be on the award stand at the end of the day on Saturday."
On getting ready for the first-round opponents…..
"We have watched quite a bit of video on their competitors and never really look too much past the first round and once we know where they are, we focus on the next guy. We are just working on individual skills that they are going to need to execute to be successful and another big piece is preparing the mind for the stage because if you are not ready for it, it will get them. They both have been to the NCAA Championships as spectators before so they have been able to visualize themselves in this opportunity."
Â
Redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Khristian Olivas
On his first-round matchup against ninth-seeded Max Thomsen of Northern Iowa....
"He is in the Big 12 so I have seen him a lot and two of my coaches (Joe Colon and Blaize Cabell) went to Northern Iowa so they are familiar with him and have been helping me get ready."
On waiting to find out if he got an At-Large berth last week...Â
"I was nervous, but I had a good idea I would make the field so I stayed strict on my diet and knew I would make it to the NCAA's and thankfully it worked out well."
On outlook heading into the NCAA Championships....
"I have watched this tournament for so long growing up so it is very exciting to be apart of it."
On what helped him reach the NCAA Championships this season....
"I come into the room everyday looking to get better and the coaches tell us to have a goal everyday we come in to the room and I like to go at a hard pace the entire practice so I am ready for the matches."
Freshman heavyweight AJ Nevills
On his first-round matchup against fourth-seeded Jacob Kasper of Duke....
"Both of my brothers have wrestled him before so I am familiar with him. I have been watching him a lot and getting familiar with him."
On outlook heading into the NCAA Championships....
"I feel very well prepared and am excited to wrestle my best. It is a big tournament and there a lot of people there so I am trying to get my mindset right."
On what he learned from the Big 12 Championships that he will try to carry over to this week...
"I have to keep the guys I am wrestling in my positions and do the best that I can."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fresno State finishes 11th at first Big 12 Championships
The Bulldogs competed at their first Big 12 Championships on March 3-4 in Tulsa, Okla., placing 11th overall with 26.5 points as the 'Dogs had a pair of placewinners in Nevills and sophomore 197-pounder Josh Hokit. Nevills placed runner-up at heavyweight while Hokit narrowly missed the NCAA Championships field placing fifth at 197 pounds.
Olivas earns At-Large bid to the NCAA Championships
Olivas earned an At-Large bid to the NCAA field on March 6 after finishing the season with a 26-7 overall record posting a 17-3 mark in dual meets leading the 'Dogs with nine wins by major decision and ranked second with five falls, nine wins by decision and 26 wins.
Fresno State NCAA Wrestling Championships History
The Bulldogs have had 21 individuals earn 33 All-American honors in program history as eight have earned multiple honors, including Gerry Abas (1992-95) and Stephen Abas (1998-99, 2001-02) who are the 'Dogs ony two four-time All-Americans.
Olivas named Second-Team Academic All-Big 12
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.
"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
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