California Baptist University
Air Force
CBU Dominates Air Force in Friday Night Dual
11/22/2024 10:33:00 PM | Wrestling
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University wrestling team began its conference schedule with a bang, defeating the visiting Air Force Falcons 28-3 in Van Dyne Gym on Friday evening.
The Lancers dominated the dual, winning nine of the ten bouts en route to beginning BIG 12 competition 1-0. CBU has now won consecutive duals over the Falcons after beating them 21-15 in Colorado Springs last season when Air Force was ranked #19 in the country.
The dual began at 174 lbs, with Carter Schmidt taking the mat against Jack Ganos of the Air Force. Schmidt's second-period takedown would prove to be the difference as he rode out the 4-2 decision to give CBU the 3-0 start. The Lancers would get decision victories in each of the next six bouts to give the home squad a commanding 21-0 lead over its fellow BIG 12 opponent. Eli Sheeren's decision win was perhaps the most impressive as Sheeren earned his first career-ranked victory by besting #30 Brian Burburija 4-1, which was highlighted by a first-period takedown.
Elijah Griffin showcased why he came into the dual ranked #32 by FloWrestling and #33 by InterMat wrestling with a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Carter Nogle. Griffin surrendered an early takedown that was compounded by nearfall points and found himself trailing 10-6 heading into the final period. In the third period, Griffin would earn an escape point followed by a takedown to tie the match at ten apiece. Griffin would complete the comeback with a terrific ride to secure the one-point bonus and win the bout 11-0 over Nogle.
Freshman Paul Kelly was the lone wrestler to earn bonus points in his match on the night, with a dominating 14-4 major decision over Alec Viduya in the 141lb bout. The Falcons got themselves on the board at 157lbs with a decision victory before Drayden Morton would conclude the evening with a 5-2 decision at 165lbs.
For CBU, it was the most individual match won in a single dual against a BIG 12 school in program history and was the first conference home victory for the Lancers.
Results
CBU 28 Air Force 3
174: Carter Schmidt (CBU) over Jack Ganos (AF) via decision 4-2
184: Nathan Haas (CBU) over Gage Musser (AF) via decision 5-3
197: Eli Sheeren (CBU) over #30 Brian Burburija (AF) via decision 4-1
285: Tristan Kemp (CBU) over Antonio Ramos (AF) via decision 2-1
125: Mitchell Neiner (CBU) over Bubba Wright (AF) via decision 4-2
133: Richard Murillo (CBU) over Gavin Caprella (AF) via decision 7-5
141: #32 Elijah Griffin (CBU) over Carter Nogle (AF) via decision 11-10
149: Paul Kelly (CBU) over Alec Viduya (AF) via major decision 14-4
157: EJ Beloncik (AF) over Daniel Manibog (CBU) via decision 10-5
165: Drayden Morton (CBU) over Logan Fowler (AF) via decision 5-2
NEXT: CBU will head to Bakersfield to compete in the Roadrunner Open on Sunday, November 24.
Players Mentioned
