No. 2/No. 6 Antelopes Host GCU Duals

With three teams ranked or receiving votes and nine wrestlers among the probable starters nationally-ranked, the 2013 Grand Canyon University Duals at GCU Arena Saturday is set up to be the biggest yet of the yearly event.

“It’s an exciting event to kick off the second semester,” said GCU coach R.C. LaHaye, whose club is ranked No. 6 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association poll – released Thursday – and No. 2 in the Basford National Poll. LaHaye has three of his probable starters nationally-ranked.

“Duals are a big part of the schedule all over the nation and this is a chance for fans to watch good competition and enjoy the atmosphere,” added LaHaye.

It is the second time the event will be held in the arena and, for the first time, four mats will run simultaneously. They’ll be five rounds of duals beginning at 9 a.m.

Ten teams will participate, including No. 3 St. Cloud State and No. 17 Colorado Mesa.

GCU’s Kyle McCrite (No. 2 - 125), Bobby Ward (No. 3 - 149) and Tyrell Fortune (No. 3 - Hwt.) are all among the individuals nationally-ranked. St. Cloud State has three wrestlers ranked, Andy Pokorny (No. 2 – 133), Shamus O’Grady (No. 2 – 184) and Jake Kahnke (No. 2 – Hwt.). Colorado Mesa has a pair of nationally-ranked grapplers, Jon Gappmaier (No. 3 – 157) and Zak Slotten (No. 8 – 174). Western State’s Elliot Copeland is No. 2 at 174.

GCU begins its wrestling in the second round, slated to begin at 10:45 a.m. Fans can watched all of the GCU matches on a live webcast available on www.GCULopes.com. Complete results will be available on the web site after each round. Fans can also get final scores and GCU results by following on twitter @GCU_Lopes.

The Antelopes will wrestle two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponents, Chadron State and Colorado Mines, along with Minnesota State Moorhead and Minot State.

Also in the field are California Baptist and Simon Fraser.

“It ups the stakes when you’re wrestling school in the conference, because it will count for (post season) seeding purposes,” adds LaHaye.

Grand Canyon will have some different faces in the lineup. After missing out the first semester, the Antelopes welcome back Ward, a 2012 NCAA All-American. Also, new to the team, is Mike Hamel, a Division I transfer from the University of Wyoming. He will wrestle at 141. Lino Estrada, who wrestled all of last season at 133 and was one win away from qualifying for nationals, will be in action for the first time.

“It’s a great opportunity for our guys to kick off the second semester,” said LaHaye. “The road to the national tournament starts here.”

Some of the same teams wrestling at GCU Saturday will compete next week in the NWCA National Duals in Springfield, Ill., including Grand Canyon. Saturday’s matches will likely have bearing on seeding and pairings for the two-day event.

2013 Grand Canyon University Duals Info and Schedule
NWCA Rankings

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Related News

Next Event

Related Videos