Grand Canyon University Athletics
Escudero wins Utah Valley Open
1/12/2008 10:07:19 AM | Wrestling
Efrain Escudero made history.
Escudero (pictured) became the first Grand Canyon wrestler to win a tournament championship Saturday, beating three NCAA Division I wrestlers at the Utah Valley Open in Orem, Utah. He won the 157-pound title.
Escudero beat Tim Long of Mesa State by a 16-0 major decision. He beat Boise State's Brad Muri, 8-6. He beat Wyoming's Dallas Hintz 6-5 for the championship.
"Efrain is the first tournament champion in school history so that's something to be proud of," Antelopes coach R.C. LaHaye said.
A number of other GCU wrestlers also placed.
Jose Palencia went 3-1 to finish third at 125 pounds. Ryan Becerra and Dan Garay each went 2-1 at 174 pounds, sharing third place after they were scheduled to wrestle each other.
Heavyweight Richard Hernandez placed fourth, going 2-2.
"A little slow start," LaHaye said. "The kids wrestled better as the tournament went on."
GCU will host Pima Community College at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the final home match of the season.
