Friday, February 5
Riverside, Calif.
6:00 PM
California Baptist University
19
vs
15
Colorado Mesa
Photo by: Laura Kocsis
Carrying More Weight
2/5/2016 8:58:00 PM | Wrestling
FINAL RESULTS
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — California Baptist University wrestling beat Colorado Mesa 19-15 in emphatic and dramatic fashion for its home finale Friday night.
"I'm worn out after that one," head coach Lennie Zalesky said. "I knew it was going to be a tough match, four of our five losses tonight came against top Division II kids."
Just a week ago, both teams competed in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship with the Lancers coming out on top with 133.5 points for first, while CMU took third with 105.5 points. It was a split decision in the 10 matches with the Mavericks grabbing five wins and the Lancers also winning five. CBU's wins carried more weight, however, to see the victory through, avenging last year's 24-19 lost to CMU.
The most important and eye-catching win came from senior 157-pounder Brady Bersano who thrilled the crowd with a four minute, 54 second pin. Bersano also had a personal score to settle as his opponent, Jason Buhr, was the only NCAA Division II opponent he had lost to this season, which came at the RMAC Championship.
"It felt great getting the win in front of our home crowd," Bersano said of his match. "I've never lost in front of the home crowd and I planned on keeping it that way. It was exciting for me to get the pin at home. It was great way to finish my home career at CBU."
Buhr is an aggressive wrestler and just beat Bersano 10-9 last weekend. Tonight was a completely different match for the Fresno native, as he was out to avenge the loss.
"He'd get in on my legs and I felt a couple times I could grab a cradle," said Bersano about being patient in the bout. "The last time he got in on my legs he was in too deep, so I turned the corner and sank in the cradle."
This win would spearhead more victories.
Coming off an RMAC championship at 165-pounds, Nolan Kistler looked to keep momentum in his favor. The "Grasshopper", a nickname that has carried on from high school to college, fought hard for a solid 3-0 decision.
Fellow RMAC champion Jacob Waste — who won the 184-pound conference title — had another dominating performance. Waste had beaten CMU's Slotten at the RMAC Championship in sudden victory, 2-1. This time, Waste wasted little time, winning 6-2.
Freshman 133-pounder Anthony Racobaldo earned a 10-4 decision over Madison Gambrell.
The last match of the night, at the heavyweight bout, was the most crucial. Both teams were knotted at 15-15 heading into the finale. Joe Fagiano also faced a familiar opponent in Colter Bentley, who he had defeated at the RMAC Tournament. With a 10-2 major decision, Fagiano earned his second dual winning performance of the season.
CBU heads to Gunnison, Colo., in two-weeks time to compete at the Super Region tournament. The top-four placers of each weight will advance on to the NCAA Division II championship tournament.
"We're looking forward to the regional tournament and if we continue to wrestle the way we do, we should be ok," Zalesky said.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — California Baptist University wrestling beat Colorado Mesa 19-15 in emphatic and dramatic fashion for its home finale Friday night.
"I'm worn out after that one," head coach Lennie Zalesky said. "I knew it was going to be a tough match, four of our five losses tonight came against top Division II kids."
Just a week ago, both teams competed in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship with the Lancers coming out on top with 133.5 points for first, while CMU took third with 105.5 points. It was a split decision in the 10 matches with the Mavericks grabbing five wins and the Lancers also winning five. CBU's wins carried more weight, however, to see the victory through, avenging last year's 24-19 lost to CMU.
The most important and eye-catching win came from senior 157-pounder Brady Bersano who thrilled the crowd with a four minute, 54 second pin. Bersano also had a personal score to settle as his opponent, Jason Buhr, was the only NCAA Division II opponent he had lost to this season, which came at the RMAC Championship.
"It felt great getting the win in front of our home crowd," Bersano said of his match. "I've never lost in front of the home crowd and I planned on keeping it that way. It was exciting for me to get the pin at home. It was great way to finish my home career at CBU."
Buhr is an aggressive wrestler and just beat Bersano 10-9 last weekend. Tonight was a completely different match for the Fresno native, as he was out to avenge the loss.
"He'd get in on my legs and I felt a couple times I could grab a cradle," said Bersano about being patient in the bout. "The last time he got in on my legs he was in too deep, so I turned the corner and sank in the cradle."
This win would spearhead more victories.
Coming off an RMAC championship at 165-pounds, Nolan Kistler looked to keep momentum in his favor. The "Grasshopper", a nickname that has carried on from high school to college, fought hard for a solid 3-0 decision.
Fellow RMAC champion Jacob Waste — who won the 184-pound conference title — had another dominating performance. Waste had beaten CMU's Slotten at the RMAC Championship in sudden victory, 2-1. This time, Waste wasted little time, winning 6-2.
Freshman 133-pounder Anthony Racobaldo earned a 10-4 decision over Madison Gambrell.
The last match of the night, at the heavyweight bout, was the most crucial. Both teams were knotted at 15-15 heading into the finale. Joe Fagiano also faced a familiar opponent in Colter Bentley, who he had defeated at the RMAC Tournament. With a 10-2 major decision, Fagiano earned his second dual winning performance of the season.
CBU heads to Gunnison, Colo., in two-weeks time to compete at the Super Region tournament. The top-four placers of each weight will advance on to the NCAA Division II championship tournament.
"We're looking forward to the regional tournament and if we continue to wrestle the way we do, we should be ok," Zalesky said.
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