FRESNO, Calif. — November 10, 2024

The Fresno State Wrestling Club hosted the 2nd Annual Veterans Day Duals – Battle for the Belt on Sunday at the Student Recreation Center – West Gym on the campus of Fresno State. Less than 24 hours after opening the season at the Bill Musick Memorial Open, the Bulldogs welcomed teams from Utah Tech, Sacramento State, San Jose State, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside, UCLA, and UNLV for a full day of collegiate competition.

The event featured separate men's and women's divisions, with the men’s squad competing in the dual tournament while the women's squad participated in a scramble event. By the end of the day, Fresno State had produced multiple undefeated performances, claimed a pool championship on the men's side, and advanced to the Battle for the Belt championship dual against defending tournament champion Utah Tech.

Men's Recap

Fresno State put together a strong performance in pool competition, going a perfect 3-0 to capture Pool B and advance to the championship dual. The Bulldogs defeated Utah Tech B (48-18), Sacramento State (39-24), and the combined UCLA/UNLV squad to earn a shot at the Championship Belt.

Awaiting Fresno State in the finals was the winner of Pool A, the defending champions Utah Tech. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead before the Trailblazers responded through the middle and upper weights, ultimately claiming the tournament championship with a 40-22 victory.

Returning NCWA All-American Diara Spencer led the way for Fresno State, going undefeated on the day with victories over Sacramento State, UCLA, and Utah Tech. Spencer was expected to get a rematch with defending NCWA National Champion Cesar Ubico following their matchup at the Bill Musick Memorial Open the previous day, but Ubico withdrew from the event after winning the tournament title. Spencer also battled through an injury suffered during the championship dual while continuing to score points for the Bulldogs.

Fresno State also received strong performances from Josiah Rowland, William Wareham, and Michael Brent throughout the tournament, helping the Bulldogs finish as tournament runner-up.

DUAL RESULTS

RD1 — Fresno State 48, Utah Tech B 18
RD 2 — Fresno State 39, Sacramento State 24
RD 3 — Fresno State 41, UCLA/UNLV 26

Championship — Utah Tech 48, Fresno State 22

Women's Recap

The Bulldogs' women's squad turned in several strong performances in the scramble event, led by Gabriela Ruacho and Karma Pugh.

Competing at 207 pounds, Ruacho was dominant throughout the day, recording four victories by fall against opponents from Utah Tech and San Jose State. Her undefeated performance was among the most impressive showings by any Fresno State wrestler during the event.

At 131 pounds, Pugh opened the day with consecutive falls over opponents from Utah Tech and San Jose State before dropping a hard-fought match to Zendell Oribello of UNLV. She finished the event with a 2-1 record.

Additional victories came from Ebony Cardenas and Delilah Lozano at 138 pounds. Cardenas recorded two falls on the day, while Lozano picked up a victory over Sacramento State's Nyima Trevino.

Next Up

Fresno State returns to action on November 16, 2024, when the Bulldogs travel to San Jose, California, for the Battle at Sparta Invitational hosted by San Jose State.