SWEET GEORGIA CHAMPS
1/30/2011 1:52:00 AM | Wrestling
DALTON, Ga. --- Top-seed California Baptist University completed its perfect run Saturday, defeating second-seed Central Florida, 42-4, in the championship match at the Third Annual National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Duals in Dalton, Ga.
The 20-team (11 weight class) tournament began Friday night, and it was the
Lancers' first-ever appearance at the NCWA National Duals as they transition from
the NAIA to NCAA Division II.
The Lancers never allowed more than 12 points the entire tournament.
"We didn't know what to expect, but this was just a great experience
and a very well ran tournament," said CBU Head Coach John Petty. "The
matches were much closer than the final scores indicated, because a lot of the
individual matches were very close. The guys were well prepared and they put
everything they had throughout the entire tournament. They battled through some
injuries and adversity and at the end of the day they overcame that and
wrestled their hearts out. They earned this and should be proud of what they
accomplished here."
In the finals, the Lancers opened a 7-0 lead, sweeping the first two matches.
Jimmy Martinez defeated Alex Chiricosta, 5-2, in the opener at 125 and then
Landon Saldana picked up a major decision, defeating Stephen DeAugustino, 10-2,
at 133.
UCF got within 7-4 with a major decision at 141 before Dylan Cataline pinned TJ
GIllin just 25 seconds in the match to give the Lancers a 13-4 lead. That began
a string of eight straight wins by the Lancers, including pins by Chris Santana
(157), Kenneth Tribble (174), Caleb Gerl (197) and Alex Evers (285).
The Lancers won all six of their matches, including four on Saturday. They began the day with a 59-0 win over Cincinnati and then faced what appeared to be their stiffest test in the quarterfinals when they downed defending champion Marion Military Institute (Ala.), 34-12 to advance to the semifinals. In that match against MMI, the Lancers picked up two pins at 125 and 133 to open up a 12-0 lead before MMI rattled off three straight wins to get within 12-9, but that was as close as it got.
In the semis, the Lancers downed Grand Valley State (Mich.), the 2009
champion, 27-9.
"There is some serious talent in this organization," said Petty. "Our guys were
challenged, and it took everything we had to come out on top."
The NCWA Championships are March 10-12, 2011, on the campus of Mercer
University in Macon, Ga. The NCWA has placed an emphasis in hosting its events
in the emerging wrestling states in the Southeast for the 2010-2012 seasons.
