Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Keith Kountz/Fresno State
Fresno State Wrestling heads back to Battle on the Midway
9/17/2019 1:45:00 PM | Wrestling
SAN DIEGO - Collegiate wrestling will make its return to San Diego when the USS Midway Museum plays host to the third-annual Battle on the Midway on Friday, Nov. 1 atop the flight deck of the famed aircraft carrier.
Twin duals are scheduled for the first time in the event's brief history as Fresno State and Army West Point will kick off the 2019-20 collegiate wrestling season in the opening match (approx. 6:30 p.m. PT), followed immediately thereafter by the University of Wisconsin facing the Naval Academy.
"For nearly 50 years, the USS Midway's flight deck not only launched jets in defense of freedom, it served as a haven for the crew's off-duty recreation and sports when ship's operations permitted," said USS Midway Museum Marketing Director Scott McGaugh.  "It's fitting the same holds today for collegiate wrestling."
Presented by Left Coast Wrestling and the San Diego Imperial Kids Wrestling Association (SDIKWA), 2019 will mark the second consecutive year that the Battle on the Midway will air on national television. CBS Sports Network will deliver the action to a nationwide audience with two two-hour airings on tape-delay. The first is set for Sunday, Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. PT, and the second will take place on Veteran's Day (Monday, Nov. 11) in prime-time at 4 p.m. PT.
The Battle on the Midway is a limited-capacity event and as such a limited number of tickets general admission tickets are available at $25 apiece. They can be purchased at www.BattleOnTheMidway.com or https://botm2019.eventbrite.com. Gates are set to open at 6 p.m.
This will mark Fresno State's third appearance in the Battle on the Midway, while Wisconsin, Army and Navy are all making their first- ever appearance aboard the USS Midway.
"This is such a boost for the entire sport of wrestling to be able to have such a unique event like this on one of the most famous aircraft carriers ever commissioned," said Bulldog head coach Troy Steiner. "We're honored to have been invited to compete in the first two Battles on the Midway and we're looking forward facing Army at this year's event."
Wisconsin comes into the 2019-20 season off a 9-6 campaign in 2018-19 when they finished the year ranked 17th in the nation. Army West Point went 8-3 and ranked 23rd , while Navy (6-4) and Fresno State (9-8) both finished the season unranked.
Several other sporting events have been staged on the deck of the Midway, however the Battle on the Midway is the only wrestling event that has been staged aboard the famed aircraft-carrier that was used by U.S. Troops during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
In addition to the Battle on the Midway, several matches will be staged earlier in the day on the Broadway Pier, adjacent to the USS Midway. Those matches include Fresno State-Wisconsin at 9 a.m. PT and Fresno State-Navy and Wisconsin-Army West Point at 11 a.m. PT. Those matches will be broadcast live online by FloSports.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter: @Fresno StateWRES
Instagram:Â fresnostatewrestling
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Twin duals are scheduled for the first time in the event's brief history as Fresno State and Army West Point will kick off the 2019-20 collegiate wrestling season in the opening match (approx. 6:30 p.m. PT), followed immediately thereafter by the University of Wisconsin facing the Naval Academy.
"For nearly 50 years, the USS Midway's flight deck not only launched jets in defense of freedom, it served as a haven for the crew's off-duty recreation and sports when ship's operations permitted," said USS Midway Museum Marketing Director Scott McGaugh.  "It's fitting the same holds today for collegiate wrestling."
Presented by Left Coast Wrestling and the San Diego Imperial Kids Wrestling Association (SDIKWA), 2019 will mark the second consecutive year that the Battle on the Midway will air on national television. CBS Sports Network will deliver the action to a nationwide audience with two two-hour airings on tape-delay. The first is set for Sunday, Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. PT, and the second will take place on Veteran's Day (Monday, Nov. 11) in prime-time at 4 p.m. PT.
The Battle on the Midway is a limited-capacity event and as such a limited number of tickets general admission tickets are available at $25 apiece. They can be purchased at www.BattleOnTheMidway.com or https://botm2019.eventbrite.com. Gates are set to open at 6 p.m.
This will mark Fresno State's third appearance in the Battle on the Midway, while Wisconsin, Army and Navy are all making their first- ever appearance aboard the USS Midway.
"This is such a boost for the entire sport of wrestling to be able to have such a unique event like this on one of the most famous aircraft carriers ever commissioned," said Bulldog head coach Troy Steiner. "We're honored to have been invited to compete in the first two Battles on the Midway and we're looking forward facing Army at this year's event."
Wisconsin comes into the 2019-20 season off a 9-6 campaign in 2018-19 when they finished the year ranked 17th in the nation. Army West Point went 8-3 and ranked 23rd , while Navy (6-4) and Fresno State (9-8) both finished the season unranked.
Several other sporting events have been staged on the deck of the Midway, however the Battle on the Midway is the only wrestling event that has been staged aboard the famed aircraft-carrier that was used by U.S. Troops during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
In addition to the Battle on the Midway, several matches will be staged earlier in the day on the Broadway Pier, adjacent to the USS Midway. Those matches include Fresno State-Wisconsin at 9 a.m. PT and Fresno State-Navy and Wisconsin-Army West Point at 11 a.m. PT. Those matches will be broadcast live online by FloSports.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter: @Fresno StateWRES
Instagram:Â fresnostatewrestling
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
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