University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Cruz and Gaethje sweep despite team losing three
1/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – The University of Northern Colorado wrestling team lost all three duals at the annual Lone Star Duals on Saturday. The Bears fell 30-19 to #14 Arizona State, 28-12 to Appalachian State and 24-14 to The Citadel.
In the opening match against 14th-ranked Arizona State, both junior Casey Cruz (133) and senior Justin Gaethje (149) were victorious for the Bears. Cruz won a 6-1 decision over David Prado, while #10 Gaethje had a 14-6 major decision over Taihei Fukumoto. Freshman Sam Bauer started the afternoon wrestling #3 Anthony Robles, who was named the meet's outstanding wrestler at the conclusion. Bauer lost 16-0 but did amass 2:40 of riding time against one of the elite in the nation. The Bears were the beneficiaries of two ASU forfeits, at 157 and 174 pounds, while NC forfeited at 141 for the 30-19 score.
In the third session, Northern Colorado took on Appalachian State where Cruz and Gaethje were again winners, along with freshman Nick Bayer (197). Cruz won a 9-0 major decision over Acton Pifer to give the Bears the 4-3 team advantage. A 13-5 major decision for Gaethje over Russ Benner brought the team back within one after the forfeit at 141, 9-8, but the team couldn't quite battle back for the victory. Bayer also recorded a major decision, defeating Paul Glover 12-4.
In the nightcap, the Bears dropped a 24-14 decision to The Citadel. Cruz made it a clean sweep of the day with a 4-3 win over Tyler Sim. Gaethje posted a tech fall win, 19-3 over Derek Royster, while Bayer defeated Kelby Smith 9-4 and freshman Konner Knudtsen won a 3-2 decision over Luke Johnson at heavyweight.
The Bears now turn their attention to dual matches and Western Wrestling Conference action as they travel east to dual South Dakota State on Jan. 21 and North Dakota State on Jan. 23.
#14 Arizona State 30, Northern Colorado 19
125: #3 Anthony Robles (ASU) tech fall Sam Bauer, 16-0
133: Casey Cruz (NC) dec. David Prado, 6-1
141: Kalin Goodsite (ASU) wins by forfeit
149: #10 Justin Gaethje (NC) major Taihei Fukumoto, 14-6
157: Jacob Milewski (NC) wins by forfeit
165: Tee Edwards (ASU) fall Brandon Kammerzell, 6:30
174: Tanner Weiks (NC) wins by forfeit
184: Jake Meredith (ASU) fall Cody McAninch, 4:05
197: Luke Macchiaroli (ASU) dec. Nick Bayer, 7-1
285: Levi Cooper (ASU) major Konner Knudtsen, 12-3
Appalachian State 28, Northern Colorado 12
125: Tony Gravely (AppSt) dec. Sam Bauer, 6-3
133: Casey Cruz (NC) major Acton Pifer, 9-0
141: Mike Kessler (AppSt) wins by forfeit
149: #10 Justin Gaethje (NC) major Russ Benner, 13-5
157: John Blakely (AppSt) dec. Tanner Weiks, 4-3
165: Kyle Blevins (AppSt) major Brandon Kammerzell, 11-1
174: Carter Downs (AppSt) dec. Cody McAninch, 8-1
184: Austin Trotman (AppSt) fall Marcel Gibbons, 1:47
197: Nick Bayer (NC) major Paul Glover, 12-4
285: Mark Tyson (AppSt) dec. Konner Knudtsen, 3-2
Citadel 24, Northern Colorado 14
125: Richard Alarcon (Citadel) dec. Sam Bauer, 7-1
133: Casey Cruz (NC) dec. Tyler Sims, 4-3
141: Jordan Dix (Citadel) wins by forfeit
149: #10 Justin Gaethje (NC) tech fall Derek Royster, 19-3
157: Pierre Frazile (Citadel) dec. Tanner Weiks, 7-5
165: #10 Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (Citadel) dec. Brandon Kammerzell, 6-4
174: J.C. Oddo (Citadel) major Cody McAninch, 10-0
184: Justin Sparrow (Citadel) fall Marcel Gibbons, 3:58
197: Nick Bayer (NC) dec. Kelby Smith, 9-4
285: Konner Knudtsen (NC) dec. Luke Johnson, 3-2
