California Baptist University
Central Oklahoma
Testing the Waters
1/16/2016 2:44:00 PM | Wrestling
KEARNEY, Neb. — It was a test of true grit for California Baptist University Saturday, as it wrestled four duals within a span of six hours at the Nebraska-Kearney Duals. On top of the grueling time schedule, the eighth-ranked Lancers faced stiff competition from Central Oklahoma, No. 17 Western State Colorado, Adams State and New Mexico Highlands. With many obstacles and difficulties to overcome, CBU managed to claim a 3-1 record for the day.
"It was tough competition," Coach Lennie Zalesky said. "We felt pretty good about the varsity guys that wrestled."
Three varsity wrestlers missed the Nebraska-Kearney duals from niggling injuries.
"If we can keep everyone healthy we'll be a tough team to beat," Zalesky said.
All four teams the Lancers faced reside in Super Region IV and three of the four, excluding Central Oklahoma, join the Lancers in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
Early in the day, CBU started the dual meet tournament against Central Oklahoma, which is currently ranked fifth in the region. With some stellar individual performances, CBU grabbed the 25-16 win.
Paul Head (197-pounder) and heavyweight Joe Fagiano were the standouts of the dual. They won their respective matches by technical fall, with Head winning by a score of 16-1 and Fagiano on an 18-2 margin.
Of the 10 matches, the Lancers won seven with Anthony Racobaldo, Peter Cunningham, Bradford Gerl, Brady Bersano and Christian Smith all grabbing victories.
Gerl's victory came as a 13-8 decision over Spencer Rutherford, who is ranked third in the region.
This was just the start the Lancers needed going into the long day, with No. 17 Western State Colorado up next.
Arguably the two of the toughest teams within the RMAC, with Colorado Mesa in the mix as well, the match ended in a close decision 24-22 in favor of WSCU. It was back-and-fourth with multiple lead changes.
Racobaldo (133) has been in terrific form all season and grabbed the first win for the Lancers with a tech of his opponent, 16-1. Gerl followed suit with a 10-4 decision at 149. Senior 157 Bersano showed a mature performance with a 17-0 shutout and technical fall that gave the Lancers a 13-9 team lead.
"He felt good from his feet, so I wanted to get him on the ground," Bersano said of his opponent. "Once I grabbed a takedown I knew this was going to be my match to win."
The Mountaineers, however, would find themselves leading again 24-13 with two matches left. CBU grabbed the last matches with an 8-5 decision by Head and an impressive personal season record 21-second pin from Fagiano. It was not enough to overcome the deficit, though.
CBU would go on to sweep through Adams State, 34-16, and New Mexico Highlands, 36-12.
In both duals, seven of the 10 Individual matches were dominated by CBU. Fagiano pinned his last two opponents in less than 1:41.
Head earned two decisions (12-6, 6-3) to finish perfect for the day. Bersano, who also remained undefeated at the Nebraska-Kearney Duals, pinned his last opponent in 1:22.
"I went right to my cradle and once I got it locked up I knew I had the pin," Bersano said. "It was tough competition overall, but I was upset we lost to [Western State], If everyone was healthy, I know we would have beat them."
Austin Kleint (165) won his last two matches. The win against Adams State came in sudden-death overtime, with the match ending 3-2. Growing in confidence as the day progressed, Kleint finished the day on a high note, pinning his opponent from New Mexico Highlands in 6:22.
Cunningham (141) won his last two matches by technical fall (15-0) and a 3:45 pin. Smith (174) was 2-2 on the day, with a 9-3 decision in his last match.
The Lancers head home to host San Francisco State, which also partook at the Nebraska-Kearney Duals. The meet is set for Saturday, Jan. 23rd at 5 p.m.
