Wrestlers Dominate Late to Cruise to Win at Embry-Riddle

Wednesday, December 1

Prescott, AZ

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Embry Riddle

Mike Fucci

Wrestlers Dominate Late to Cruise to Win at Embry-Riddle

12/1/2010 10:34:40 PM | Wrestling

By: Mike McNally

The ninth-ranked Grand Canyon University wrestling squad defeated Embry-Riddle, 32-14, in Prescott, Ariz. this evening.

GCU dominated the higher weight classes, gaining points in the last five matches, to rally from an early 14-9 deficit.

Embry-Riddle was awarded a forfeit at 125 pounds, gaining an early 6-0 advantage. The Antelopes got on the scoreboard as Todd Wilcox (Sacramento, CA, Folsom, Sierra College) pulled out an 8-5 decision over Jeremy Mazon. Lino Estrada (Hayden, AZ, Hayden) followed with a pin over Alfonso Valles at 5:40 to put GCU on top for the first time, 9-6. The Eagles jumped back out to a 14-9 lead, highlighted by the No. 2 ranked wrestler in NAIA, Tyler Chang’s technical fall victory at 157 pounds.

The rest of the night belonged to Grand Canyon, as Mike Fucci (Sacramento, CA, Colfax, Sierra College) and Victor Carazo (Modesto, CA, Grace M. Davis, Modesto College) recorded back-to-back major decision wins to give the ‘Lopes a 17-14 lead.

Jack Porter (Phoenix, AZ, Desert Vista) won by fall at 4:30, defeating the Eagles’ Troy Killgore. Ryan Becerra (Gilbert, AZ, Highland ), wrestling at 197 pounds for the first time this season, pulled out a 10-6 decision over Shawn Michalek, who is currently ranked No. 7 in NAIA.

“Victor (Carazo), Mike (Fucci), Jack (Porter) and Ryan (Becerra) all looked really tough tonight,” said head coach R.C. LaHaye. “This will give us a good boost heading into Las Vegas (Cliff Keen Invite) this weekend. Vegas will certainly be a meat-grinder for us and tougher than our national tournament. But we intend to go in there and scrap for any wins we can get.”

GCU headed to Las Vegas after the match this evening and will participate in the Division I dominated Cliff Keen Invitational. Of the 36 schools participating, 31 will be from Division I, with Grand Canyon being one of only two Division II schools in attendance.

Final Results can be viewed here.