Dec. 12, 2005
Fresno, Calif. -
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ROAD TO RENO
Fresno State has one more competition before taking a break for the holidays until Jan. 11. Fresno State travels to Reno, Nev. to participate in the Reno Tournament of Champions on Sunday, Dec. 18. The Bulldogs will be one of 27 teams competing in the tournament, which includes many teams on the Fresno State schedule as well as some of the top teams in the nation. Among the premier teams joining Fresno State in Reno are Central Michigan, Penn State and defending champion Oklahoma State along with Fresno State dual opponents Arizona State, Boise State, UC Davis, Cal Poly and last week's opponent, Wyoming. The Bulldogs will look to make a strong showing at the tournament with so many top western teams there. The tournament is scheduled to last all day Sunday, with the final rounds being held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Bulldogs had a very strong showing last year at the Reno Tournament of Champions, finishing third behind Oklahoma State and Arizona State, and will look to make another impression in this year's tournament.
WINNING WYOMING
Fresno State opened their dual season last Saturday, and started the way all teams hope for, picking up the win in front of the home crowd. The Bulldogs started out in a quick hole against the Cowboys, as Wyoming got a pin in the first match to take a 6-0 lead, but Andrew Meredith responded for the Bulldogs, picking up a major decision at 157 pounds to keep the match close. The teams double-forfeited 165 pounds, and 157/165 pound wrestler Charles Jones took on Wyoming's 174-pound Dan Barrone. However, Jones made quick work of the bigger wrestler, pinning him in 2:00 to give the Bulldogs a lead they would not relinquish, as a Wyoming forfeit at 184 gave the Bulldogs 16 straight points. Wyoming stayed close to the Bulldogs though, taking the next two matches, and getting within one point in the team score. True freshman Cory Borges made the most of his first appearance as a Bulldog though, picking up a 7-3 decision over Wyoming's Cody Grant to keep the Fresno State lead. Sean Carlson fell just short in an upset bid of Wyoming's top wrestler, 133-pound Tyson Shatto, leaving a window open for Wyoming to take the match. Garrett Spooner quickly closed it, with a dominating 15-0 techinal fall to seal the match for the Bulldogs.
VIVA LAS VEGAS
The Bulldogs continued competition in tournaments last week, participating in the 52-team Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. The Bulldogs finished 38th despite only wrestling in seven of the ten weight classes. Leading the way was Oklahoma transfer Charles Jones. Jones, who had yet to wrestle for the Bulldogs, was 2-2 in the tournament, and advanced to the quarterfinals before losing a close 4-1 decision to Illinois' Alex Tirapelle, the No. 1 ranked 157-pounder in the country. Also reaching the round of 16 was junior Greg Gifford, who was 3-2 after advancing through the wrestlebacks. Five other wrestlers participated for the Bulldogs in the tournmant over the weekend, which was won by Michigan.
