BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--CSU Bakersfield returns to the Old Gym Thursday night for a wrestling dual against Rutgers before traveling to Cal Poly for the Mustang Duals Sunday.

Thursday night's dual starts 6 p.m. and is the first meeting in wrestling between CSUB and Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are 7-1 after going 1-1 at the first “Grapple at the Garden” Dec. 16. Rutgers currently features four individuals in the national rankings: 141-pounder Trevor Melde, 157-pounder Scott Winston, 174-pounder Greg Zannetti and 184-pounder Dan Rinaldi. Rutgers' lineup features three seniors who have earned qualification for the NCAA Championships in all three seasons of their career. Mason, Winston and Rinaldi have not missed a national tournament.

Sunday's action begins at 1 p.m. when the Roadrunners take on No. 16 Wyoming. The Roadrunners are wrestling the Cowboys for the first time since 2000 when CSUB defeated Wyoming 23-14. The Roadrunners lead the all-time series 3-1. Ranked 16th in the current USA Today/NWCA Top 25 poll, the Cowboys are 2-2 in dual competition. Sophomore Tyler Cox won the 125-pound title at the Reno Tournament of Champions, defeating CSUB's Tyler Iwamura.

The final dual of the week is Sunday at 5 p.m. when the Roadrunners face Columbia. The Lions are coming off a 15th place finish at the Midlands Championships and are 1-2 in dual competition. Senior 149-pounder Steve Santos, who is currently ranked eighth, finished fourth at the Midlands. Two other Columbia wrestlers are ranked in 157-pounder Jake O'Hara (17) and 174-pounder Stephen West (12).

~www.GoRunners.com~