Grand Canyon University Athletics
Lopes grow in defeat to Division I Portland St.
11/15/2008 10:23:40 AM | Wrestling
These Antelopes grew up in a hurry.
"Just between Oklahoma and now, these kids have already made big strides," Grand Canyon wrestling coach R.C. LaHaye said.
Grand Canyon tested Portland State, pushing the NCAA Division I school before succumbing 24-15 Saturday night in Antelope Gym.
GCU's Austen Moore won the 141-pound match 3-0, defeating Wesley Moniz to spot the Antelopes an early lead.
Portland State won the next six bouts by decision to go ahead 18-3. Grand Canyon's Aurel Dan won by forfeit at heavyweight, and Alex Contreras claimed a forfeit win at 125 to pull GCU within 18-15. But Portland State's Thomas Cottrell picked up a forfeit win at 133.
Trailing by five points, Grand Canyon's Daniel Garay (pictured) nearly pinned Brady Garner in the third period, but the Portland State wrestler held on to win 12-7. Grand Canyon's Bryan Cooper made a late escape to draw within 7-5 with 24 seconds left, but Portland State's Keena Washington scored two late points and was awarded a point for riding time to win 10-5.
"It just seemed like all our guys were right on the edge," LaHaye said. "We just didn't pull the trigger. We brought a Division I team in, and we pushed 'em to the limit in every match."
