BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Ian Nickell (R-Fr., Bakersfield,
Calif., Bakersfield HS) recorded his 21 victory of the season and David Meza
(R-Fr., Fullerton, Calif., Buena Park HS) added a thrilling overtime pin to
highlight CSUB's dual against Rutgers on Thursday night at the Old Gym at CSUB,
but the Roadrunners fell to the Scarlet Knights 29-9.
CSUB is now 4-2 in dual action this season, while Rutgers, a
team with four nationally ranked wrestlers, improved to 8-1.
"We wrestled a tough team tonight and showed some good
effort," CSUB head coach Mike Mendoza said. "The score doesn't really represent
how competitive the dual was. We had a lot of matches that could have gone the
other way. It was a good effort and now we have to put this behind us, address
what we can and get ready for a quick turnaround to wrestle again on Sunday."
Nickell, at 133 pounds, posted a takedown in the first
period and kept adding to his lead before finishing with a 7-1 decision victory
over Rutger's Vincent Dellfave. Nickell, who is ranked in four national polls
at wrestled well despite battling an illness, improved to 21-6 on the season
with the win.
The final match of the night, at 165 pounds, was no doubt one
of the most exciting as Meza and Rutger's Anthony Volpe went into overtime tied
1-1. Just when it looked as if the 1-1 score would hold, Meza used one last
surge of energy to pin Volpe with four seconds left on the clock. Meza improved
to 13-9 on the season win the victory.
"David Meza's win was a great way to end the dual and Ian Nickell's win
was a great win for us," Mendoza said.
CSUB will be back in action on Sunday when it will take on
Wyoming and Columbia at Cal Poly at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
~www.GoRunners.com~
