BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--Returning to CSUB's "Old Gym", CSU Bakersfield swept a pair of duals to open the 2012-13 wrestling season Thursday night.

Due to another function on campus, the Roadrunners competed in the "Old Gym" for the first time since the 1988-89 season, and opened the night with a 25-18 come from behind victory against Drexel. Starting at 149 pounds, the Dragons took a 9-0 lead after two matches.

A 7-5 victory from David Meza (R-Fr., Fullerton, Calif., Buena Park HS) and a pin from Bryce Hammond (R-Fr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) tied the match  before Reuben Franklin (So., Murrieta, Calif., Vista Murrieta HS) gave CSUB its first lead of the night when he defeated Bryan Sternlieb 9-4 at 184 pounds.

Drexel won the next two matches (at 197 and heavyweight) for an 18-12 advantage. Tyler Iwamura (R-Sr., San Diego, Calif., Santa Fe Christian HS) cut the advantage in half with a 6-0 victory at 125 with Ian Nickell (R-Fr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) put the Roadrunners ahead when he took a majority decision (8-0) at 133. Timmy Box (R-Fr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) pinned Frank Cimato with 15 seconds remaining in the final match of the dual, the 141-pound matchup for a CSUB victory.

The Roadrunners jumped out to an 18-0 against Cal Poly in a non-conference dual to cruise to a 27-13 victory over the Mustangs. The CSUB victory broke a three-match winning streak in the all-time series for Cal Poly.

In addition to Meza, Hammond, Iwamura, Nickell, and Box winning for the second time on the night, CSUB posted victories at 149 by Dalton Kelley (R-Jr., Alamosa, Colo., Alamosa HS), and at 157 by Adam Fierro (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS).

Drexel defeated Cal Poly 28-11 in the first dual of the day.

CSUB hosts the Roadrunner Open Saturday at Fresno's Selland Arena. An 18-team field is expected to be entered in the meet which begins at 12 p.m.

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