Friday, March 11
Sioux Falls, S.D.
All Day
California Baptist University
vs
NCAA Division II Championships
Photo by: Tim Tushla
Historic Finish
3/12/2016 9:30:00 PM | Wrestling
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Historical moments are made by overcoming adversity and rising above the rest. That was evident Saturday night as California Baptist University's heavyweight Joseph Fagiano became the program's first-ever NCAA Division II champion — CBU's sixth-ever individual champion as well.
"Well it's not a bad feeling, I'll tell you that," Fagiano said jokingly after his championship finish.
All season long, Fagiano has dominated on the mat and it proved to be no different on the biggest stage of Division II competition. The Chicago native earned his spot at the final match by pinning fifth-seeded Austin Goergen in one minute, fifteen seconds in the semifinal bout.
In the final matchup of the tournament and of Fagiano's career, he drew Malcolm Allen of Minnesota State-Mankato. The two giants of Division II wrestling collided on the mat, providing an entertaining match for all seven minutes.
Tense and cautious, both wrestlers tried to get a feel for each other, waiting for that one moment of magic that could decide the match. With the score tied 0-0 going into the second period, Fagiano chose the bottom position. He quickly grabbed an escape to take a 1-0 lead. Allen responded with a takedown to hold a 2-1 edge over the Lancer.
"At that point I told myself to get back up, not feel sorry for myself," said Fagiano. "I never quit and I knew I would get one back. You have to keep pushing forward."
Fagiano would not rest as he broke loose for another escape to tie the match up 2-2. He then set up a foot sweep that took Allen down to his back where, Fagiano grabbed two more points from the near fall.
After that moment, the rest became history as the Lancer rode his opponent for the remaining ticks of the match to win 6-3 for the heavyweight crown.
It was not just a successful day for Fagiano however, as three other Lancers gained All-American status.
Senior Brady Bersano, who has been excellent for the Lancers all season long, found himself in the 157 championship match. He put up a valiant fight, but lost a close 6-4 match to take second overall at the championship tournament.
Jacob Waste (184-pound) became the first two-time All-American in program history after taking fifth at last year's tournament. This year he improved to third place, beating Nick Burghardt of Maryville 6-1 for the bronze finish.
Sophomore Nolan Kistler fought hard for a seventh place finish as he won his last match 15-8 over Kade Kitchens of Shorter.
"It was a very good tournament for us, we're sending five guys and competing with teams that sent nine guys to the national tournament," Coach Lennie Zalesky said.
Despite fewer in their arsenal than some teams, the Lancers took their highest finish as a team, placing sixth overall.
"I'm very proud of our guys, they had a great year and they deserve this," Zalesky said.
"Well it's not a bad feeling, I'll tell you that," Fagiano said jokingly after his championship finish.All season long, Fagiano has dominated on the mat and it proved to be no different on the biggest stage of Division II competition. The Chicago native earned his spot at the final match by pinning fifth-seeded Austin Goergen in one minute, fifteen seconds in the semifinal bout.
In the final matchup of the tournament and of Fagiano's career, he drew Malcolm Allen of Minnesota State-Mankato. The two giants of Division II wrestling collided on the mat, providing an entertaining match for all seven minutes.
Tense and cautious, both wrestlers tried to get a feel for each other, waiting for that one moment of magic that could decide the match. With the score tied 0-0 going into the second period, Fagiano chose the bottom position. He quickly grabbed an escape to take a 1-0 lead. Allen responded with a takedown to hold a 2-1 edge over the Lancer.
"At that point I told myself to get back up, not feel sorry for myself," said Fagiano. "I never quit and I knew I would get one back. You have to keep pushing forward."
Fagiano would not rest as he broke loose for another escape to tie the match up 2-2. He then set up a foot sweep that took Allen down to his back where, Fagiano grabbed two more points from the near fall.
After that moment, the rest became history as the Lancer rode his opponent for the remaining ticks of the match to win 6-3 for the heavyweight crown.
It was not just a successful day for Fagiano however, as three other Lancers gained All-American status.Senior Brady Bersano, who has been excellent for the Lancers all season long, found himself in the 157 championship match. He put up a valiant fight, but lost a close 6-4 match to take second overall at the championship tournament.
Jacob Waste (184-pound) became the first two-time All-American in program history after taking fifth at last year's tournament. This year he improved to third place, beating Nick Burghardt of Maryville 6-1 for the bronze finish.
Sophomore Nolan Kistler fought hard for a seventh place finish as he won his last match 15-8 over Kade Kitchens of Shorter.
"It was a very good tournament for us, we're sending five guys and competing with teams that sent nine guys to the national tournament," Coach Lennie Zalesky said.
Despite fewer in their arsenal than some teams, the Lancers took their highest finish as a team, placing sixth overall.
"I'm very proud of our guys, they had a great year and they deserve this," Zalesky said.
Players Mentioned
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