Five Place at California Collegiate

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield wrestling team had five grapplers earn a place on the podium at the 42^nd Annual Californa Collegiate Open on Saturday. The Roadrunners were led by freshman Chance Rich, who placed second at 133 pounds.

Competing unattached, Rich had back-to-back major decisions to reach the semifinals. In his opening match against Riley Prough of Simon Fraser he was victorious 13-5 and followed it up with a 14-6 victory over Blaysen Terukina of Menlo. In the semifinals, he blanked Angelo Reyes of San Francisco State 6-0, but was defeated by Oregon State's Devan Turner in the championship match.

The `Runners had two freshman placers at 141 pounds. Angelo Martinoni took third and Lokahi Tonge placed sixth. Martinoni started his day with a pair of dominant victories. He earned a 10-2, major decision over Nathaniel Johnson after earning a first round bye and scored an 18-3 technical fall over Stanford's Steven Abbate in the quarterfinals. Martinoni was defeated in overtime by California Baptist's Zander Silva in the semifinals, but rallied for a 9-5 decision over Oregon State's Riley Gurr in the third place match. Tonge started his day with a 6-0 shutout of Simpson's Sila LaGroue and pinned Jordan Opp in 6:47 to reach the quarters. There, the freshman lost to eventual champion Real Woods of Stanford, but battled back for a 15-4 major decision over Oregon State's Haidon Allen before bowing out of the tournament.

Albert Urias continued the run for CSUB's strong freshman class as he placed fifth at 165 pounds. Urias lost his opening match to Wetzel Hill Jr., but rattled off two straight victories to reach the consolation semifinals. The freshman posted an 8-3 decision over Cal Poly's Joe LaRosa for his first win of the day and after a forfeit win he beat another Mustang Dylan Miracle 12-6.

At 184 pounds, redshirt sophomore Noe Garcia went 2-2 to place fifth. Garcia won his first two bouts, defeating Elliy Gorelik of Menlo 7-1 and Denzell Morrow of New Mexico Highlands 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals, but faltered in his next two matches.

The Roadrunners, who are coming off an upset of No. 22 Stanford, will be back at the Icardo Center on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. when they host No. 11 Wyoming.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Noe Garcia: 184; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

Angelo Martinoni: 133/141; 5' 9"; Freshman

Chance Rich: 133; 5' 7"; Freshman

Lokahi Tonge: 133/141; 5' 10"; Freshman

Albert Urias: 165; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Noe Garcia
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: 184

Angelo Martinoni
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: 133/141

Chance Rich
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: 133

Lokahi Tonge
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: 133/141

Albert Urias
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: 165