March 16, 2006

Fresno, Calif. - Fresno State showcased two of their best wrestlers Thursday at the NCAA National Championships at Oklahoma City. Junior Greg Gifford and freshman Cory Borges both advanced to the second day of the tournament by recording wins.

Greg Gifford, the Western Region champion at 184 pounds, had the best day, winning a 6-4 decision over John Davis of Tennesee-Chattanooga to advance to the round of 16 in the championship bracket. Gifford was then defeated by Purdue's Ben Wissel, the No. 3 seed in the tournament.

Borges took the opposite route, losing a first round match to 2005 All-American Sam Hazewinkel by technical fall, but moved forward in the consolation brackets at 125 pounds, beating Chris Clarke of Slippery Rock in an 8-3 decision to continue forward in the tournament.

Both wrestlers continue in the third round of the consolation bracket tomorrow. Wrestlers in the consolation bracket still have a chance to reach the medal matches featuring the top eight wrestlers in each weight class, who are also awarded All-American status.