California Baptist University
Embry-Riddle
Head Strong
11/6/2015 10:54:00 PM | Wrestling
RIVERSIDE, Calif.— Picking up where he left off, Paul Head added another pin to his career, leading California Baptist University to a dominant win over Embry-Riddle with the final score of 38-7 in the season opener Friday night.
Starting from top position going in to the second period, Head turned his opponent to his back to collect a four-point nearfall.
Shortly after the awarded nearfall points, Head turned his opponent once more to his back. With both shoulder blades dropped to the matt, the ref quickly blew the whistle and awarded the pin at 3:53 in the match.
"I wanted to tire the guy out so I hung on his head and when I felt him getting gassed I tried to capitalize on that and it resulted in a pin," Head said.
Currently wrestling at the 197-pound weight class, Head claimed his first pin of the season and his 12th of his collegiate career.
"He's a very aggressive wrestler," Coach Lennie Zalesky said. "He was in the top ten last year for pins so he's on his way again."
CBU won eight of the 10 matches with one forfeit coming at the 184 weight class for the Eagles. Of the eight wins, the Lancers had two pins, one technical fall, three majors and one decision.
Nolan Kistler grabbed the other pin of the night, putting on a clinic of powerful, attacking wrestling. The 165 pounder pinned his opponent in 4:09, but showed a great technical ability at the top position before the pin to create a score of 8-0.
"I started a little slow but once I started warming up I got into my technique up top and showed my ability there," Kistler said.
"Both of these athletes are looking to be All-American status," Zalesky said. "They're two very aggressive wrestlers so it does not come as a surprise that they both got pins."
Other notable performance came from Bradley Christensen, who won by a technical fall with a score of 17-0. The 174 pound wrestler was relentless on the attack and dominated from the top position.
CBU starts the season ranked No. 12 in NCAA Division II and will look to build off this performance as they host Division I Cal St. Bakersfield at the Take It Outside dual meet on November 14th.
