California Baptist University
Cliff Keen Invitational
More History Falls to Fagiano
12/5/2015 2:08:00 PM | Wrestling
LAS VEGAS, Calif. — As the second round of the Cliff Keen Invitational began Saturday morning, California Baptist University heavyweight Joe Fagiano showed the quality he possesses by taking on the best of the best in collegiate wrestling.
In emphatic fashion, Fagiano earned a seventh-place finish at one of the toughest collegiate tournaments in the nation. It is just the second time the Lancers have placed a wrestler at Cliff Keen. The last time it happened was completed by another heavyweight in 2012. The tournament did not get any easier this year for the Chicago native.
The first match of the day for CBU's heavyweight came up against University of Northern Iowa's Blaize Cabell, who is currently ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division I. Fagiano lit up the stage by executing a lateral drop throw on Cambell to put him on his back and claim a 36-second pin to secure a top-eight finish.
"He knows what he's doing, we just let him go out there and do his thing," Head Coach Lennie Zalesky said of Fagiano.
Fagiano, however, wasn't finished. Showing off his technical ability and strength, Fagiano pinned another Division I opponent, who was the number-eight seed in the tournament. This pin against Jeramy Sweany of Cornell came at the one minute, thirty-one second mark to claim a seventh-place finish.
"I figured we've waited around long enough [to go home as team], so I'll try to finish this early," Fagiano said. "His back sank, so I was able to put in my half in deep and then I dipped my shoulder to pin him."
Fagiano wrote his own script this tournament and put himself in program history by becoming the second Lancer to place at the Cliff Keen tournament finishing 6-2 over the course of two days. This is also the first time in program history that a CBU wrestler has defeated a Division I wrestler ranked in the top six.
As a team, CBU finished 27th with 24 points, a score that beats seven NCAA Division I programs, including Boise State, Air Force and Cal Poly. The Lancers' score also finishes over fellow Division II schools Nebraska-Kearney, which is currently ranked No. 3, and No. 9 Newberry.
Only two Division II wrestlers placed at the tournament. Fagiano's spirit and strength represents the team as a whole and shows the goals that the Lancers are striving for.
