Bulldogs Post Podium Finishes at Bulldog Invitational
FRESNO, Calif. – November 11, 2023
The Fresno State Wrestling Club closed out a busy Veterans Day weekend by hosting the Bulldog Invitational on Saturday at the South Gym.
Following a full slate of team duals on Friday night, Fresno State quickly shifted its focus to individual competition for the tournament portion of the weekend. Santa Rosa Junior College, UC Riverside, and Utah Tech returned to the mats for Saturday’s action, while San Jose State and Sacramento State joined the field for the Bulldog Invitational, adding depth and competitiveness across both the men’s and women’s divisions.
MEN’S RECAP
Fresno State produced several top-three finishes in the men’s brackets, highlighted by individual champions and multiple finalists.
At 133lbs, Fresno State placed two wrestlers atop the podium, as Nathen Diaz captured first place by defeating teammate Titus Mouanoutoua in the championship match.
At 141lbs, Benito Saldivar claimed the tournament title with a championship victory over Dylan Han of San Jose State, capping a strong run through the bracket.
The Bulldogs added a pair of podium finishes at 149lbs, where Damian Galvan-Calderon advanced to the finals before finishing second to Tayden Mark of Utah Tech, while William Wareham secured a third-place finish.
Fresno State earned another individual championship at 197lbs, as Justin Nieves defeated Teddy Larsen of Utah Tech in the title bout to take first place.
At 235lbs, Michael Brent advanced to the championship match and finished second to Byron Anderson of Utah Tech.
WOMEN’S RECAP
The Fresno State women’s squad also recorded multiple podium finishes while competing in select weight classes during the tournament.
At 143lbs, Vanessa Mares earned first place after defeating teammate Jamilynne Gonzalez in the championship match. To increase depth and match opportunities, the 136lbs and 143lbs brackets were combined, creating one of the more competitive women’s divisions of the event.
Fresno State added a runner-up finish at 130lbs, where Alexus Chavira advanced to the finals before finishing second to Lauren Mills of Utah Tech.
At 101lbs, Brianna Marshall also reached the championship match, placing second after facing Yareli Macias of UC Riverside.
The Bulldog Invitational capped a demanding two-day homestand for Fresno State, combining dual-meet competition with individual tournament action and providing valuable early-season mat time across the roster
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will travel to Phoenix, AZ, to compete at the GCU Invitational on November 18, where Fresno State will face a strong field of opponents from across the Arizona region.
