GCU falls to North Dakota State

Sunday, February 7

Phoenix, Ariz.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

North Dakota State

2/7/2016 1:52:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon wrestling team hosted its final match of the season against North Dakota State. GCU honored its two seniors, Chayse Jackson and Austin Trujillo before the start of Sunday's match but the Lopes fell to the Bison 45-3.

The Lopes faced some tough competition early in the match as Trayton Libolt went up against the No. 16 wrestler in the country in the 125-pound contest. GCU got off to a slow start as the Bison took the first six matches to jump out to a 30-0 lead.

Bobby Reece competed for the Lopes in the 165-pound contest and got off to a good start with a 2-0 lead after the first round. Grant Nehring came back in the second round to take the match with a pin to give North Dakota State the victory.

GCU's leader in wins this season Kenny Moore battled against Blake Thompson in the 174-pound contest. After a 0-0 first round, Moore was able to control the second round and get a take down to take a 2-0 lead heading into the final round. Moore would record another takedown in the third round to come away with the 4-1 victory to record his 15th win on the season.

The lone senior to compete against the Bison was Trujillo as he went up against Logan Paxton in the 197-pound match. It was tight all three periods as the first period was scoreless and Paxton took the second period 1-0. Trujillo recorded a quick escape at the start of the third period to tie the match at 1-1. The match would head to a sudden victory but Paxton would record a takedown to come away with the victory.

GCU's next match will be Feb. 20^th as they travel to take on Utah Valley.

Results
125        #16 Josh Rodriguez (NDSU) def. Trayton Libolt (GCU) Tech. Fall 21-6, NDSU 5-0
133         Nico Colunga (NDSU) won by forfeit (GCU) 6-0, NDSU 11-0
141         Mitch Bengtson (NDSU) def. Uzo Owuama (GCU) dec. 7-1, NDSU 14-0
149         Clay Ream (NDSU) def. Joe Huber (GCU) Fall 20-9, NDSU 20-0
157         Kyle Gliva (NDSU) def. Steven Abayon (GCU) Major Dec. 10-2, NDSU 24-0
165         Grant Nehring (NDSU) def. Bobby Reece (GCU) Fall, 3-2, NDSU 30-0
174         Kenny Moore (GCU) def. Blake Thompson (NDSU) dec. 4-1, NDSU 30-3
184         #5 Hayden Zillmer (NDSU) def. Austin Gaun (GCU) Fall 11-1, NDSU 36-3
197         Logan Paxton (NDSU) def. Austin Trujillo (GCU) dec. 3-1, NDSU 39-3
285         Ben Tynan (NDSU) def. Sean Medley (GCU) Fall 13-0, NDSU 45-3

Exhibition: Uzo Owuama (GCU) def. Nico Colunga (NDSU) Major Dec. 17-6