Wrestlers drop close-fought dual at CSU Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Each team won five bouts, but CSU Bakersfield had one fall for the two-point differential and the 19-17 win over Northern Colorado on Sunday afternoon.

Senior Casey Cruz won his fourth straight bout, all coming in dual action, as he posted a 9-1 major decision over Dalton Kelley. Cruz got the Bears on the board after the Roadrunners won the first two bouts in bonus-point fashion with a major decision and a fall.

Cruz scored a takedown one-minute into the first period for the only points. In the second period, Cruz extended his lead with a reversal and a takedown with a Kelley escape sandwiched in between. In the third and final period, Cruz had a two-point near fall and tacked on one point for riding time. Cruz is now 10-4 on the year and he remains perfect in dual action (4-0).

Sophomore Justin Gonzales followed with a 5-1 decision over Erik Martinez. Gonzales got a takedown with just two ticks remaining on the clock in the first period for the 2-0 lead. There was no scoring in the second period and then five seconds into the third, Gonzales escaped. He recorded another takedown for a 5-0 advantage and Martinez escaped with 42 seconds left for the 5-1 final score.

Sophomore Charlie McMartin and Anthony Box needed an extra period to decide the winner at 157 pounds. The pair was tied 7-7 after seven minutes of wrestling, but Box got a takedown with 38 seconds remaining in the first overtime for a 9-7 decision.

Senior transfer Gabe Burak, ranked number 12 this week by Intermat, shut out Adam Fierro for his fourth straight win, 7-0. Burak is now 11-1 on the year with his lone loss against a top-five ranked wrestler. Burak almost recorded a fall in the bout against Fierro, but time ran out in the third period and was awarded a two-point near fall for the seven-point differential.

The teams traded victors over the final four bouts with CSU Bakersfield winning at 174 and 197 pounds and Northern Colorado winning at 184 and 285 pounds.

Junior Patrick Gomez, in just his second bout of the year, posted a 13-2 major decision over Jesus Ambriz. Gomez had five takedowns, one escape and one riding time point for his 13 points, while Ambriz got his two points via a pair of escapes.

Freshman Henry Chirino won his first dual and improved to 3-5 on the season with a 6-0 decision over Frankie Hurtado. Chirino notched a takedown in both the first and third periods, an escape in the second and was awarded one point for riding time for his win.

The Bears continue their long road swing to start the dual season with bouts at Oregon State and Boise State before opening the home dual season against Colorado Mesa on Jan. 25.