Grand Canyon University Athletics
R.C. LaHaye's 2011-12 GCU Wrestling team begins its season Nov. 5 at the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunner Open.
GCU Wrestling Announces Competitive Schedule for 2011-12
8/31/2011 5:21:00 PM | Wrestling
Thirteen home dual meets -- including the 2011 Grand Canyon Duals at GCU Arena on New Year’s Eve -- highlight the recently released 2011-12 Grand Canyon University wrestling schedule.
GCU opens the season Nov. 5 in Bakersfield, Calif. at the Roadrunner Open, hosted by Division I Cal State Bakersfield. It’s followed with the annual dual with crosstown foe Arizona State in Tempe.
The home portion of the campaign begins with the 2011 Grand Canyon Duals, featuring the most competitive field yet. GCU, which finished last season No. 9 in the final coaches’ poll, will tangle with No. 2 St. Cloud State, No. 3 Newberry, No. 4 Augustana and No. 18 Mercyhurst.
Later in the season, GCU plays host to three other programs that finished in the Top 20; No. 7 Western State (Jan. 7), No. 13 San Francisco State (Jan. 28) and No. 20 Adams State (Jan. 28). The Antelopes will also host two of NAIA’s Top 15 programs in No. 10 Great Falls (Jan. 21) and in-state foe No. 12 Embry-Riddle (Jan. 2).
The Antelopes wrestle their eighth 2011 Top 20 team Feb. 15, when they take on No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney in Hays, Kan.
“We are wrestling the very best teams in Division II this season. St Cloud State, Newberry, and Nebraska Kearney are all perennial Top 5 teams, year in and year out, and we will match up against them all this season,” said fifth-year head coach R.C. LaHaye. “We’re also looking to push ourselves against Division I competition with our dual against ASU and at the Roadrunner Open.”
Winners of last year’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular season, GCU went 17-4 in duals last year, the second most wins in the nation.
Under fifth-year head coach R.C. LaHaye, Grand Canyon has grown from a fledgling program to one of NCAA Division II’s most respected.
The Antelopes finished seventh at the 2011 NCAA II Wrestling Championships and had five All-Americans, including the program’s first national champion, Todd Wilcox (133). Two of the All-Americans, Victor Carazo (3rd – 174) and Teddy Bristol (5th – 157), return, along with national qualifiers Kyle Wilson (141) and Madison Gambrel (125).
After the Grand Canyon Duals, the remainder of the home schedule will be wrestled in Antelope Gymnasium.
“We are very excited for this season,” added LaHaye. “As long as we can stay healthy our potential is off the charts.”
HALF-COURTER! It had to be green in the Melo Saint Patrick’s Day jersey 🎯🔥
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