BAKERSFIELD,
Calif.-CSUB Head Wrestling Coach Mike Mendoza has announced the signing of four
student-athletes to National Letter of Intent to continue their careers as part
of the Roadrunner program. All four wrestlers are from Bakersfield and will be
graduating from Bakersfield High School in the Spring of 2011.
Leading the
class is Bryce Hammond. Hammond, the defending state champion at 160 pounds, is
currently ranked No. 1 in the nation by both IntermatWrestle.com and TheOpenMat.com. In addition to his state championship, Hammond has recorded
a fourth place showing at the state meet as a sophomore at 152 pounds. He has been a Fargo Cadet Finalist who
has also earned NHSCA Southern National, 5-Counties, and Temecula Valley
Championships in his career.
Joining
Hammond in Mendoza's first recruiting class are Timmy Box, Adam Fierro, and Ian
Nickell. Box is honorably mentioned in TheOpenMat.com's 135-pound rankings. As a sophomore,
Box finished seventh at the state tournament at 130 pounds. Box's brother,
Anthony, is already a member of the CSUB Wrestling squad. Timmy Box is
projected to compete at 141 for CSUB.
Fierro is
projected to compete at 157 for the Roadrunners. Nickell finished seventh at
103 pounds at the 2010 state tournament. He is projected to wrestle at 125
pounds for the Roadrunners. All four helped Bakersfield win the 2010 state
championship.
"Bryce is
one the best recruits we have had had in a long time," Mendoza said. "We are excited to have him join our
program. He has great feel and is a great scrambler."
"Tim is a
great athlete who is super solid on the mat," Mendoza continued. "Adam keeps
position well. He has really good defensive skills. Ian is tall kid who is
still growing and maturing into his body. He is a strong competitor who has a
big heart."
The
Roadrunners will have two competitors taking part in the All-Star Local Feature
Matches Sunday, Nov. 21 as part of the 45th annual NWCA All-Star Classic. At
125 pounds, Tyler Iwamura (R-So., San Diego, Calif., Santa Fe Christian HS)
takes the place of an injured Frank Lomas (R-Jr., Bakersfield, Calif.,
Bakersfield HS) to take on No. 13 Andre Gonzales of Cal State Fullerton. Lomas
is sitting out the event due to injury. At 157, Andrew Balch (Clovis, Calif.,
Buchanan HS) faces No. 15 Barrett Abel of Cal Poly. The NWCA All-Star Classic
is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. in Fresno's Selland Arena.
"The NWCA
All-Star Classic is a great wrestling event that features some of the best
wrestlers in the United States," said Mendoza. "Having our guys wrestle as part
of the event is an honor."
The
Roadrunners will have several entries in the Fullerton Invitational on
Saturday, Nov. 20 as well.
~www.GoRunners.com~
