BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Roadrunner wrestling team opened the 2017-18 season on the East Coast with a Friday evening dual against Buffalo. An early upset over a ranked wrestler helped CSU Bakersfield get off to a quick start and the `Runners held on for a 22-14.
"I thought our guys wrestled with great effort," said Manny Rivera, Head Coach of the `Runners. "We can still be better, but this is definitely a good start. We beat a good team tonight on a long road trip, so, we will take that."
Starting from the top at 125, Sergio Mendez found himself down to No. 14 Kyle Akins early, but a takedown late in the first period gave him a 3-2 lead. CSUB's redshirt senior then took a 7-2 lead into the final period. The native of Arleta, Calif. nearly put up a major decision on his No. 14-ranked opponent, but Mendez settled for an 11-4 victory to put the `Runners ahead 3-0 with the upset.
No. 5 Bryan Lantry got four points late to defeat Sean Nickell 8-4 in the 133-match, tying the dual up at 3-3.
No. 19 Russell Rohlfing dominated the entire match against Ryan Peters (141). An escape by Peters with 13 seconds to go made the score 10-4 in Rohlfing's favor, but the redshirt sophomore got a last-second takedown to ensure a major decision The 13-4 victory but the `Runners ahead of Buffalo, 7-3.
Kalani Tonge (141) and Jason Estevez went back and forth with an active first two periods and were tied 6-6 heading into the final two minutes. An early escape in the third gave Estevez a one-point lead and the senior held off Tonge for a 7-6 win.
At 157, Colemand Hammond took a 2-1 advantage over Danny Boychuck into the third period. An escape and a takedown gave Bakersfield's redshirt senior a 5-1 lead and riding time gave Hammond a 6-1 victory and CSUB a 10-6 advantage.
Two first-period takedowns gave Lorenzo De La Riva a 4-1 advantage over Derek Holcomb (165). The redshirt sophomore continued to dominate, getting two four-point nearfalls and wound up winning via tech fall, 17-2. The `Runners gained a 15-6 lead with just four matches remaining.
At 174, Bryan Battisto gained a 5-2 lead on Austin Weigel heading into the final period. Two more takedowns in the third put Battisto ahead 9-2 and 1:01 of riding time gave the redshirt junior a major decision, 10-2.
Dominic Ducharme found himself in a big hole and fought back, but Brett Perry took a major decision in the 184-pound match, 16-5. Buffalo pulled within nine points at 19-10.
Matt Williams, ranked No. 11 at 197 to start the season, was tied 1-1 after regulation with UB's Joe Ariola. Williams surged in overtime and wound up with a 7-1 victory to clinch the match for the `Runners.
In the heavyweight bout, Buffalo's Jake Gunning started fast and rode a big victory to a major decision, 18-7, over Jarrod Snyder. Despite the loss, the `Runners took a 22-14 win on the road to start the season.
The `Runners (1-0) continue their East Coast swing with a tri-dual in Edinboro, Pa. on Sunday. CSUB will wrestle against Bucknell at 10:30 a.m. (ET) before taking on No. 18/22 Edinboro at 12 p.m. (ET).
Results
125: Sergio Mendez def. No. 14 Kyle Akins, 11-4
133: No. 5 Bryan Lantry def. Sean Nickell, 8-4
141: No. 19 Russell Rohlfing def. Ryan Peters, 13-4 (MD)
149: Jason Estevez def. Kalani Tonge, 7-6
157: Coleman Hammond def. Danny Boychuck, 6-1
165: Lorenzo De La Riva def. Derek Holcomb, 17-2 (TF)
174: Bryan Battisto def. Austin Weigel, 10-2 (MD)
184: Brett Perry def. Dominic Ducharme, 16-5 (MD)
197: No. 11 Matt Williams def. Joe Ariola 7-1 (OT)
285: Jake Gunning def. Jarrod Snyder, 18-7 (MD)
CSUB 22 def. Buffalo 14
