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Chance Rich

Wrestling

Rich Leads 'Runners at USA Team Trials

Bakersfield, Calif. – Rising junior Chance Rich was 7-1, leading six CSU Bakersfield wrestlers at the USA World Team Trials last weekend at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. Eddie Flores, Romeo McNeal, Isaac Salas, Braden Smelser and Albert Urias also represented the Roadrunners in the event, which served as a qualifier for the U23 World Championship in Pontevedre, Spain.  
 
"Last weekend was a great opportunity for these six guys to compete against some of the best collegiate wrestlers in the country," said CSUB Head Wrestling Coach Luke Smith. "This experience identified some areas where we need improvement and I think we were capable of winning some matches we lost, but overall, I am happy with how our guys competed and developed."
 
Rich easily led the 'Runner grapplers with his seven wins at 57 kg, opening his weekend run with three-straight victories before falling to Ohio's Julian Tagg, 10-2, in the quarterfinals. The CSUB standout rebounded with four-consecutive wins to close out his tournament, avenging his only loss with a 4-1 defeat of Tagg in the third-place match. Rich finished just one spot shy of qualification for the World Championship.  
 
"Chance wrestled a little tight on the championship side, and battled an ankle injury in the quarterfinal," Smith explained. "I'm proud of the grit he showed in response to that loss. I know he is disappointed he won't represent his country and CSUB at the World Championship, but he showed great toughness and will use this experience to be even better."
 
Flores also competed in the 57 kg bracket, posting a 3-2 record in the event. Flores dropped his opening round match-up, then rattled off three victories in the consolation bracket before falling to Brett Unger.
 
Salas (65 kg), Smelser (79 kg) and Urias (79 kg) all won opening round bouts and finished the trials with 2-2 records. McNeal dropped both of his matches at 57 kg.
 
On the same weekend, 10 'Runners placed at the California State Open in Fresno, Calif.
 
Richie Sandoval (57 kg) and Josh Brown (70 kg) both doubled up with Freestyle and Greco titles within their respective weight classes. Tyler Deen (74 kg) and Erick Mittlestead (96 kg) each won Freestyle titles.
 
 
USA World Team Trials:
57 KG - Eddie Flores - 3-2
L - Anthony Noto-Mat Town USA (1-11)
W - Robert Sagaris - Ohio (13-2)
W - Bailey Roybal - Jackrabbit WC (Fall :24 sec)
W - Eli Griffin - California Lancer RTC (Forfeit)
L- Brett Unger - Spartan Combat (3-15)
 
57 KG - Romeo McNeal - 0-2
L - Blake West - Northern Illinois RTC (1-11)
L - Bailey Roybal - Jackrabbit RTC (4-14)
 
61 KG - Chance Rich - 7-1 (3RD Place)
W-Mitchell Polito - Lehigh Valley WC (11-0)
W-McGwire Midkiff - Bison WC (5-2)
W-Chris Cannon- New Jersey (Medical Forfeit)
L-Julian Tagg - Ohio (2-10)
W- Kai Orine - Wolfpack WC (Fall :47 sec)
W-Julian Farber - Panther WC - RTC (10-0)
W-Dylan Shawver - SKWC - RTC (8-7)
W- Julian Tagg - Ohio (4-1)
 
65 KG - Isaac Salas  2-2
W-Deon Pleasant - Pennsylvania RTC (10-0)
L-Ryan Michaels - Pittsburgh WC (1-8)
W-Lauden Edwards - Illinois (10-0)
L-Connor Thorpe - Panther WC - RTC (13-2)
 
79 KG - Braden Smelser  2-2
W-Andrew Sharer - Mountaineer WC (11-0)
L-Izzak Olejnik - Northern Illinois RTC (0-10)
W-Easton Tobia - Spartan RTC FL (6-1)
L-Joey Arnold - Edinboro RTC (2-12)
 
79 KG - Albert Urias  2-2
W-Nick South - Indiana RTC (2-1)
L-Nick Incontrera - Pennsylvania RTC (0-10)
W-Antonio Washington - Bluff City RTC (11-0)
L-Connor Herceg - Lehigh Valley RTC (0-4)
 
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Players Mentioned

Eddie Flores

Eddie Flores

125
5' 5"
Sophomore
Chance Rich

Chance Rich

133
5' 7"
Redshirt Freshman
Albert Urias

Albert Urias

174
5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
Josh Brown

Josh Brown

149
5' 8"
Junior
Braden Smelser

Braden Smelser

165
6' 1"
Freshman
Isaac Salas

Isaac Salas

141
5' 4"
Freshman
Tyler Deen

Tyler Deen

149
5' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Eddie Flores

Eddie Flores

5' 5"
Sophomore
125
Chance Rich

Chance Rich

5' 7"
Redshirt Freshman
133
Albert Urias

Albert Urias

5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
174
Josh Brown

Josh Brown

5' 8"
Junior
149
Braden Smelser

Braden Smelser

6' 1"
Freshman
165
Isaac Salas

Isaac Salas

5' 4"
Freshman
141
Tyler Deen

Tyler Deen

5' 7"
Freshman
149
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