Wrestlers Extend and Snap Streaks in Win Over Western State

Friday, January 28

Gunnison, CO

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Western State

Carazo runs win streak to 13.

Wrestlers Extend and Snap Streaks in Win Over Western State

1/28/2011 9:19:50 PM | Wrestling

By: Mike McNally

No. 13 Grand Canyon University wrestling kept one streak going tonight and happily ended another in their 18-13 win over No. 9 and two-time defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion Western State, at Paul Wright Gym in Gunnison, Colo.

With the win the Antelopes improved their winning streak to nine. And as fine as that ninth win was, it falls second to the feat accomplished in snapping the Mountaineers 17-dual home winning streak.

“I’m very proud of how well we wrestled this evening,” said head coach R.C. LaHaye. “It has been a long road trip and our guys showed a lot of character and determination over these past two matches.”

The dual was all GCU early as they would take the first six matches to open an 18-0 advantage, before seeing a late rally by Western State.

Todd Wilcox began the night with a 7-3 win over Jesse Cruz at 133 pounds to open a 3-0 dual lead. Wilcox used a pair of first period takedowns to cruise to the win, improving his record to 24-3.

Kyle Wilson used a six-point second period to pull out the win over Cody Cole at 141.

Austen Moore would give GCU a 9-0 lead in the dual, snapping a three-match losing streak with a 5-2 over Justin Keyes at 149.

Ted Bristol picked up his second win of the road trip, defeating Kurtis Ramsey 12-6. Bristol ran out to a 12-0 lead and held off a late third period near fall to improve to 13-6.

Mike Fucci picked up his 17^th win of the season, knocking off Zach Frazier 3-2 at 165. The match was tied 1-1 in the third, but a takedown by Fucci with just over a minute remaining sealed the victory.

After missing the previous two matches, All-American and fourth-ranked Victor Carazo returned and picked up right where he left off, winning his 13^th-straight match. Carazo would win 3-1 this evening, with all his points coming in the third period.

The Mountaineers would win the next four matches to close out the dual, but the lead obtained by the ‘Lopes proved insurmountable.

Second-ranked Charlie Pipher defeated Ryan Becerra, 16-8. The lead for Pipher stood at just 8-5 entering the final two minutes, but four third period takedowns closed it out.

GCU’s Eli Arizmendez saw his undefeated run since joining GCU in January end, falling 8-2 to top-ranked Donovan McMahill. With the loss, Arizmendez drops to 14-1 overall.

The Mountaineers would win the next two matches, but fall short in their bid to extend the home streak.

For GCU, it was their third win over a higher ranked opponent, joining wins over Nebraska-Kearney and San Francisco State. The win also improved their dual record to 13-4.

The ‘Lopes will not have much time to rest, as they host Embry-Riddle on Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in Antelope Gymnasium. The team will then venture back to the Rocky Mountain state for duals with Fort Hays State and Mesa State on Feb. 9.

Full results can be viewed here.