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Wrestling

CSUB Drops A Close Dual Against UVU, 20-15

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield's wrestling team hosted Utah Valley in a competitive battle of Pac-12 and Big 12 programs on Saturday night. The Wolverines took an early lead and were able to hold on for the dual win over the Roadrunners, 20-15, at the Icardo Center.

"There were three matches we could have won, maybe even four," said Manny Rivera, Head Coach of the `Runners. "You look for these guys to embrace those big moments and make something happen there. We were in position to win the dual. It's bittersweet when we have a couple of starters out and we were still close."

The dual started at heavyweight and CSUB's Mark Penyacsek was unable to get momentum against UVU's No. 26-ranked Dustin Dennison. Penyacsek lost by decision, 8-2, as the `Runners went down 3-0 early. No. 27 Sergio Mendez (125) lost to UVU's No. 7 Taylor LaMont by major decision (8-0), but the `Runners were about to get on the board.

At 133, No. 28 Sean Nickell led the Wolverines' Durbin Lloren 2-0 after the first. Nickell earned a late takedown in the second period to go up 4-0 and accumulated over three minutes of riding time on his way to an 8-0 major decision. The victory cut UVU's lead to 7-4.

Filling in for Russell Rohlfing, Noah Blakley-Beanes took a 19-6 loss to UVU's Matt Findlay. Trailing 11-4, the `Runners were able to rebound and gain some momentum.

At 149, CSUB's Kalani Tonge earned his first dual victory of the season over Matthew Ontiveros. Bakersfield's sophomore got the first takedown and took a 2-1 lead out of the first period. He extended his lead to 3-1 after the second, but UVU's wrestler had almost two minutes of riding time. A reversal put Ontiveros in a commanding position, but Tonge fought back and earned a late escape and takedown to seal the win, 6-4.

"Kalani did a good job," said CSUB's head coach when asked about the bout. "He came out and scored first. Ultimately, I think that's what won him the match."

Coleman Hammond (157) dominated Raider Lofthouse en route to a first-period tech fall, 20-2. The redshirt senior used a quartet of four-point nearfalls and just missed getting the pin. His victory put the `Runners ahead of the Wolverines, 12-11.

"We're going to finish out this last stretch of the season, the majority of it, at home," Rivera said. "I asked our seniors how they want to be remembered and they took that to heart. Coleman looked phenomenal tonight."

In the 165-pound bout, Jacob Thalin put up a strong performance against UVU's No. 16-ranked Demetrius Romero. Thalin was trailing by a takedown in the final seconds, but ran out of gas and lost by decision, 8-3, in his first dual of the season.

Bryan Battisto found himself in a tight dual against UVU's Kimball Bastian. Bakersfield's 174-pounder got a quick escape in the final period, but was unable to find the takedown he needed to tie the bout and lost by decision, 5-2.

Dominic Ducharme was a victim of another close loss for the `Runner. The redshirt freshman escaped with 20 seconds left in the bout to make the score 3-2, but could not get the tying point. Ducharme fell to UVU's Gary Jantzer, sealing the dual as the Wolverines led 20-12.

In the final match of the night, CSUB's Matt Williams went toe-to-toe with UVU's Tanner Orndorff. The pair have history after splitting a pair of matches a year ago. Williams took a loss in a dual, but got the last laugh, winning in the first round of the NCAA Championships.

On Saturday night, Williams took a 4-2 lead over Orndorff into the second period. Bakersfield's 197-pounder built up over two minutes of riding time before his opponent escaped from the bottom position. Williams' reversal 30 seconds into the third period was followed by a two-point nearfall to take an 8-3 lead. Orndorff got a couple takedowns late, but William was able to hold on for a 10-8 decision and three team points.

Saturday night's dual marked the start of a busy stretch for the `Runners. The dual against UVU was the first of three home duals over 12 days. CSUB (4-8, 0-1 Pac-12) will host Arizona State, ranked in the NCAA Top 10 as a team, Jan. 24 in the Icardo Center before welcoming Cal Poly on Jan. 31.

When asked about Arizona State, Rivera said his team will approach the dual with a 'business as usual' mentality: "I don't think anything changes. We're trying to win. The fact that it is Arizona State, we don't have to do too much to get motivated. I'm excited for it and I know these guys will be, too."

~GoRunners.com~

125: #7 Taylor LaMont (UVU) def. #27 Sergio Mendez (CSUB) by major decision, 11-3.
133: #28 Sean Nickell (CSUB) def. Durbin Lloren (UVU) by major decision, 8-0.
141: Matt Findlay (UVU) def. Noah Blakley-Beanes (CSUB) by major decision, 19-6.
149: Kalani Tonge (CSUB) def. Matthew Ontiveros (UVU) by decision, 6-4.
157: #16 Coleman Hammond (CSUB) def. Raider Lofthouse (UVU) by tech fall, 20-2.
165: #16 Demetrius Romero (UVU) def. Jacob Thalin (CSUB) by decision, 8-3.
174: Bryan Battisto (CSUB) vs. Kimball Bastien (UVU) by decision, 5-3.
184: Gary Jantzer (UVU) def. Dominic Ducharme (CSUB) by decision, 3-2.
197: #14 Matt Williams (CSUB) def. Tanner Orndorff (UVU) by decision, 10-8.
285: #26 Dustin Dennison (UVU) def. Mark Penyacsek (CSUB) by decision, 8-2.

Utah Valley 20, CSUB 15

#Rankings from NCAA Coaches' Panel
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Bryan Battisto

Bryan Battisto

174/184
5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
Noah Blakley-Beanes

Noah Blakley-Beanes

133
5' 9"
Redshirt Sophomore
Dominic Ducharme

Dominic Ducharme

184
6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman
Coleman Hammond

Coleman Hammond

149
5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
Sergio Mendez

Sergio Mendez

125
5' 5"
Redshirt Senior
Sean Nickell

Sean Nickell

133
5' 7"
Redshirt Junior
Mark Penyacsek

Mark Penyacsek

184
6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
Russell Rohlfing

Russell Rohlfing

141
5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
Jacob Thalin

Jacob Thalin

157
6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
Kalani Tonge

Kalani Tonge

141/149
5' 5"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Bryan Battisto

Bryan Battisto

5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
174/184
Noah Blakley-Beanes

Noah Blakley-Beanes

5' 9"
Redshirt Sophomore
133
Dominic Ducharme

Dominic Ducharme

6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman
184
Coleman Hammond

Coleman Hammond

5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
149
Sergio Mendez

Sergio Mendez

5' 5"
Redshirt Senior
125
Sean Nickell

Sean Nickell

5' 7"
Redshirt Junior
133
Mark Penyacsek

Mark Penyacsek

6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
184
Russell Rohlfing

Russell Rohlfing

5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
141
Jacob Thalin

Jacob Thalin

6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
157
Kalani Tonge

Kalani Tonge

5' 5"
Sophomore
141/149
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