Bulldogs Crown Champion, Qualify Five for Nationals at West Coast Conference Championships
ATHERTON, Calif. — March 14, 2026
The Bulldogs competed at the 2026 NCWA West Coast Conference Championships, bringing together many of the top programs in the western region. Teams in attendance included Menlo College, Utah Tech, Ottawa University of Arizona, Colorado State, UNLV, Sacramento State, GCU, Fresno State, UCLA, San Jose State, University of Arizona, University of Utah, UC Santa Barbara, and Utah State.
Fresno State team captains Jocelynn Benitez (103) and Emmanuel Plascencia (141) led the way for the Bulldogs, both advancing to the conference finals in their respective divisions. Plascencia battled his way through the bracket to reach the championship match before falling to Michael Torres of Menlo College’s NCAA transition program, finishing as the conference runner-up at 141 pounds. With the second-place finish, Plascencia secured his qualification for the 2026 NCWA National Championships.
Benitez battled her way through the bracket to reach the championship match before securing the conference title with a victory over Liliana Voakes of Ottawa University of Arizona, finishing as the West Coast Conference Champion at 103 pounds.
Lilian Busnardo placed fifth at 138 pounds while Gabriela Flores finished seventh at 145 pounds. In the NCWA women’s division, all athletes who compete at the conference championships qualify for the national tournament, sending the Bulldog women’s squad to Shreveport with four national qualifiers.
“As a team, we had a great tournament. Great momentum to take into Nationals,” said head coach Jovany Gonzalez. “We have another week to go back in the lab and work on our mistakes.”
Tournament Recap
103lbs – Jocelynn Benitez (1st Place)
Benitez opened her tournament with a bye before advancing through the bracket with two dominant victories. She defeated Elizabeth Brunson (UNLV) by injury default in the quarterfinals before pinning Megene Abdalla (Menlo College NCWA) in the semifinals. In the championship match, Benitez secured the conference title with a fall over Liliana Voakes (Ottawa University of Arizona).
124lbs – Araceli Zeferino
Zeferino opened her tournament with a quick fall over Priyanka Tandel (Sacramento State). She was later defeated by Felicia Bell (UNLV) in the quarterfinals and Luciana Rodriguez (Menlo College NCWA) in the consolation bracket.
138lbs – Lilian Busnardo (5th Place)
Busnardo advanced to the semifinals after pinning Iris Lyman (University of Arizona) in the quarterfinal round. After falling to Brianna Reyes (Ottawa University of Arizona) in the semifinals and Mya Rashed (Grand Canyon) in the consolation semifinals, Busnardo rebounded in the fifth-place match with a fall over Iris Lyman (University of Arizona).
145lbs – Gabriela Flores (7th Place)
Flores began her tournament with a fall over Destiny Henderson (Colorado State). After a quarterfinal loss to Paige Uitu (Ottawa University of Arizona), Flores battled through the consolation bracket and secured seventh place with a 4–2 decision over Abigail Lubic (Ottawa University of Arizona).
141lbs – Emmanuel Plascencia (2nd Place)
Plascencia opened his tournament with a bye before earning back-to-back falls over Emanuel Jackson (UNLV) and Emanuel Palacios (Ottawa University of Arizona) to reach the finals. In the championship match, Plascencia finished second after falling to Michael Torres (Menlo College NCAA).
Next Up
The Bulldogs now turn their focus to the 2026 NCWA National Championships, set for March 26–28 in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. Fresno State will send four women and one men’s finalist to the national tournament as they look to carry their postseason momentum onto the national stage.
