Bulldogs Complete Season at NCWA National Championships Amid Unprecedented Circumstances
ALLEN, Texas. — March 12-14, 2020
The Fresno State Wrestling Club traveled to Allen, Texas, to conclude the 2019-20 season at the NCWA National Championships.
As the tournament unfolded, concern surrounding the rapidly spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to grow across the country. During the championships, a national emergency was declared in the United States, prompting colleges and universities to begin recalling students and suspending travel. Several teams were instructed to withdraw from the tournament before its conclusion, leaving portions of the championship brackets incomplete. Fresno State, along with a number of other programs, was advised to return home but was given the option to finish the tournament before traveling back to California. The Bulldogs chose to finish what they had started.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the event, Fresno State closed the season on a strong note. Riley Budd came within one victory of All-American status, advancing to the blood round at heavyweight before falling to conference rival Jantsen Manis of Dixie State. Gurleen Chahal reached the national semifinals at 130 pounds, while Sadaqut Zamani won his opening two matches to advance to the Round of 16. By the end of the weekend, the Bulldogs had turned in one of their strongest overall performances of the season despite competing under unprecedented circumstances.
Tournament Recap
149 lbs — Domenic Garcia
Garcia opened the tournament with a forfeit victory over Brandon Leibfred (Montclair State Club Wrestling). He then fell to No. 10 Hunter Weiss (Wayne State), received a consolation bye, and saw his tournament come to a close against Devon Salcedo (Big Bend CC).
157 lbs — Sadaqut Zamani
Zamani opened with a forfeit victory over Collin Mancuso (Kent State–Tuscarawas) before pinning Darius Govan (East Carolina) to advance to the Round of 16. He then fell to Adolfo Delacruz (Sacramento State) before being eliminated by Michael Canada (UNLV).
285 lbs — Riley Budd
Budd dropped his opening match to No. 14 Thomas Hudson (East Carolina) before receiving a consolation bye. He battled back with victories over Nic Carbone (Washington State), No. 9 Clay Morrison (Texas A&M), and Christian McLellan (North Texas) to reach the blood round. His tournament came to an end one match shy of All-American honors with a 4-1 loss to conference rival Jantsen Manis (Dixie State).
130 lbs — Gurleen Chahal
Chahal opened the tournament with a fall over Dallas Gomez (Grays Harbor) before advancing past Sophie Stegenga (Texas A&M) by injury default. She reached the national semifinals before falling to Serenity Thomas (Toledo) and Terri Ajifu (Pacific Lutheran).
155 lbs — Iraiz Rodriguez
Rodriguez opened with a forfeit victory over Margaret Kermoade (Washington). She then fell to top-seeded Cendall Manley (Liberty), battled back with a fall over Alondra Zamora (Merced College), and was eliminated by Jessica Carbajal (Richland College).
