Grand Canyon Ends Dual Season With Commanding Win

Wednesday, February 12

GCU Arena

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Embry-Riddle

Senior Juan Carlos Maynes won his match at 165 in Wednesday's dual against Embry-Riddle.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

2/12/2014 10:38:00 PM | Wrestling

Grand Canyon ended the dual meet portion of its schedule with a dominating 38-0 victory over visiting Embry-Riddle at GCU Arena Wednesday.

GCU finishes 14-5 in duals, winning 10 of its last 11 matches. It was the second win over the Prescott school. The Antelopes won 42-9 at Embry-Riddle in December.

"It was a good effort overall," said GCU coach R.C. LaHaye. "It was a great way to end the home and dual season with a dominating performance."

Grand Canyon won all nine of the head-to-head matches (there was no match at heavyweight due to a double-forfeit). It picked up bonus points in six of the wins, including a 53-second fall at 174 by senior Martin Fabbian over Trent Gardner. Three other matches earned five points each for technical falls. There were also two major decisions.

Five of the contests were rematches from the previous dual and the Embry-Riddle Mile High Open.

Both Austin Gaun (184) and Marcus Haughian (197) won for the third time against their ERAU foe. Gaun won by technical fall over Jon Wiley. He had beaten Wiley in the dual and open by major decision earlier this season. Haughian had recorded two falls over Troy Killgore. He beat Killgore by technical fall on Wednesday.

AJ Salazar (125), Lino Estrada (133) and Mike Hamel (149) all won for the second time against their opponents.

Next up for GCU is the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Regional at St. George, Utah on March 1. The NCWA Championships are March 13-15 in Allen, Texas.

GCU is ranked No. 1 in the NCWA Coaches Poll.

"Our guys have got better each week," said LaHaye. "Now, we're focusing on getting ready for the NCWA Tournament and finishing with a title."

Grand Canyon 38, Embry-Riddle 0
125 – A.J. Salazar (GCU) def. Gilbert Martinez (ERAU) 10-0
133 – Lino Estrada (GCU) def. Andrew Burr (ERAU) 10-3
141 – Zach Zehner (GCU) def. Trace Gutknecht (ERAU) 10-4
149 – Mike Hamel (GCU) def. Anton King (ERAU) 17-2
157 – Bryant Wood (GCU) def. Matt Coultas (ERAU) 12-2
165 – Juan Carlos Maynes (GCU) def. Jesse Routsong (ERAU) 8-1
174 – Martin Fabbian (GCU) def. Trent Gardner (ERAU) by fall in :53
184 – Austin Gaun (GCU) def. Jon Wiley (ERAU) 17-2 (6:45)
197 – Marcus Haughian (GCU) def. Troy Killgore (ERAU) 17-2 (6:19)
285 – Double forfeit