SAN LUIS OBISPO and BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Trojans made program history twice today by picking up their first-ever D1 win over Fresno State followed by their first conference victory at CSU-Bakersfield. Little Rock wrestling bested Fresno State 35-11 before claiming the win over Pac-12 opponents CSU Bakersfield, 24-21.
"Super pumped for the guys," said head coach
Neil Erisman. "We started off rough but found a way to fight back and that's what wrestling is all about. Got some wins, got some pins, and found a way to keep wrestling. All these matches and all this work we've put in is starting to show and it's big for the guys. It's a breakthrough for our program, our guys, and it's what we've been expecting so it makes it that much better."
In the first milestone,
Paul Bianchi and
Gabe Beyer each earned major decisions over Fresno State, each going 2-1 on the day. Meanwhile,
Thomas Lisher added a 3-2 decision to pick up his first win of the season. Little Rock won by forfeit at four weight classes to seal the deal, 35-11.
Before the historic win, the Trojans fell to Cal Poly 33-8, but notably
Tanner Mendoza picked up Little Rock's first dual win at 184 while Bianchi recorded his first tech fall of the year.
After wrestling both Cal Poly and Fresno State, Trojans then made the two-hour journey from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield to take on the Roadrunners, taking down their Pac-12 foes with a 24-21 team score.
True freshman
Khyler Brewer had a breakout match with his technical fall win against CSU Bakersfield, while
Kyle Prewitt and
Dylan Johnson each picked up big team points, both Trojans producing pins in the first period.
Alex Hernandez and Beyer helped out as well, with freshman Hernandez adding his second career win by decision, 7-2. With Little Rock down 21-20 as a team, Beyer's second major of the day concluded the second celebratory occasion for the Trojans on Sunday.
"We had some big time wins by Khyler, Kyle, and Dylan," added Coach Erisman. "If we wouldn't have gotten that pin from Dylan, we wouldn't have gotten that dual. I don't think Division I wrestling has ever had an Arkansas native perform like this. The level of commitment he's put into this is incredible and we're proud to have him in our gym."
The Trojans will return home to Little Rock next weekend for their last appearance at the Jack Stephens Center this season, hosting Oklahoma, South Dakota State, and Pac-12 members Stanford on Sunday, Jan. 31.
RESULTS
vs Cal Poly
125: Antonio Lorenzo (Cal Poly) DEC
Khyler Brewer, SV-1, 5-3
133:
Paul Bianchi TF Benny Martinez (Cal Poly), 23-8 (7:00)
141: Lawrence Saenz (Cal Poly) MD
Conner Ward, 10-2
149: Legend Lamer (Cal Poly) MD
Joseph Bianchi, 15-2
157: Brawley Lamer (Cal Poly) MD
Noah Aziere, 13-0
165: Adam Kemp (Cal Poly) MD
Alex Hernandez, 14-4
174: #25 Bernie Truax (Cal Poly) TF
Triston Wills, 20-4 (4:45)
184:
Tanner Mendoza DEC Jarad Priest (Cal Poly), 3-1
197: Trevor Tinker (Cal Poly) F
Dylan Johnson, 4:55
285: Sam Aguilar (Cal Poly) DEC
Gabe Beyer, TB-1, 3-2
vs Fresno State
125:
Khyler Brewer win by forfeit
133:
Paul Bianchi MD Haiden Drury (Fresno State), 14-4
141: #13 DJ Lloren (Fresno State) MD
Conner Ward, 9-0
149: Kyle Parco (Fresno State) DEC
Kyle Prewitt, 4-1
157:
Thomas Lisher DEC Christopher Gaxiola (Fresno State), 3-2
165:
Alex Hernandez wins by forfeit
174:
Triston Wills wins by forfeit
184: Hunter Cruz (Fresno State) MD
Tanner Mendoza, 10-2
197:
Dylan Johnson wins by forfeit
285:
Gabe Beyer MD Randy Gonzalez (Fresno State), 12-3
vs CSU-Bakersfield
125:
Khyler Brewer TF Eddie Flores (CSUB), 18-3 (7:00)
133: Chance Rich (CSUB) DEC
Paul Bianchi, 7-5
141: Angelo Martinoni (CSUB) DEC
Conner Ward, 3-0
149:
Kyle Prewitt F Kalani Tonge (CSUB), 2:27
157: Brock Rogers (CSUB) win by default over
Thomas Lisher
165:
Alex Hernandez DEC Braden Smelser (CSUB), 7-2
174: Robert Urias (CSUB) DEC
Triston Wills, 4-3
184: Dominic Ducharme (CSUB) F
Tanner Mendoza, 2:04
197:
Dylan Johnson F Adrian Chavez (CSUB), 1:58
285:
Gabe Beyer MD Jacob Sieder (CSUB), 13-5
Extra Matches
133:
Jaylen Carson DEC Brandon Paulson (CBU), 10-5
133:
Jaylen Carson MD Alexander Hernandez (CSUB), 12-1
141:
Jaylen Carson F Jose Landin (CSUB), 2:25
157:
Noah Aziere DEC Josh McMillon (CSUB), 6-4
165:
Zeke Beach F Hunter LaRue (CSUB), 2:47
165: Nathan Tausch (Cal Poly) MD
Zeke Beach, 16-5
184: Louis Rojas (CBU) MD
Zane Davis, 11-3
197: Arick Lopez (CBU) DEC
Brooks Sacharczyk, 6-0
285:
Josiah Hill DEC Jarrod Snyder (CSUB), 4-2
285: Zach Schrader (CBU) F
Josiah Hill, 2:10
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