Bulldogs Tested at Washington State Duals
PULLMAN, Wash. — January 12, 2025
The Bulldogs traveled to Pullman, Washington, for a dual-meet event against some of the NCWA's toughest competition. After agreeing to the trip in the spring of 2024, the Bulldogs made the journey north and found themselves competing in snowy winter conditions far different from those back home in California.
Originally scheduled as a quintuple dual featuring Washington State, Idaho, Montana State, and Eastern Washington, the event ultimately shifted to a tri-dual after Montana State withdrew and Eastern Washington brought only a limited number of athletes for exhibition competition.
The Bulldogs entered the event knowing they would be tested. Washington State had established itself as one of the premier programs in the NCWA, featuring multiple returning All-Americans and nationally ranked wrestlers throughout the lineup. The Cougar roster included returning All-Americans along with top ranked wrestlers.
Nothing seemed to go Fresno State's way in the dual against Washington State. The Bulldogs opened the matchup with a 6-2 victory from Gabriel Martinez at 125 pounds, but Washington State controlled the remainder of the dual and handed Fresno State a difficult lesson against one of the NCWA’s top programs.
One of the most anticipated matches of the day came at 197 pounds, where returning NCWA All-American Diara Spencer made his first appearance since suffering an injury earlier in the season. Spencer pushed Washington State's Alexander Grant into overtime before falling 4-1 in sudden victory. The match generated discussion afterward, as Spencer spent much of regulation dictating the pace and forcing the action, while Grant largely wrestled from the edge of the mat. With the score remaining tied through regulation, the bout was ultimately decided in overtime.
“There was some questionable officiating in the event, but for us to be in the position to lose because of it is something we can't allow," said Head Coach Jovany Gonzalez. “Washington State is a tough team. They are stacked in every weight. They are the standard we are chasing to measure up to."
While the dual results favored the host school, the Bulldogs found success in exhibition competition throughout the afternoon. Several Fresno State wrestlers picked up victories, including Benito Saldivar, William Wareham, Damian Galvan, Michael Brent, and Karma Pugh.
Pugh turned in one of Fresno State's best performances of the trip. Competing in four exhibition matches, the highly touted freshman recorded three consecutive falls over Washington State opponents before dropping her final match in a controversial defensive fall.
Washington State 54, Fresno State 3
125 lbs – Gabriel Martinez (FS) def. Ivan Villescas (WSU), Dec. 6-2
133 lbs – Kobe Bui (WSU) tech. fall Nathen Diaz (FS), 16-1
141 lbs – Ryan Wilson (WSU) pinned Benito Saldivar (FS), 1:11
149 lbs – Josiah Johnson (WSU) maj. dec. William Wareham (FS), 14-3
157 lbs – Mitchell Helgert (WSU) pinned Damian Galvan (FS), 1:11
165 lbs – Aydin Peltier (WSU) pinned Josiah Rowland (FS), 1:23
174 lbs – Olin Hill (WSU) pinned Nathan Vargas (FS), 4:15
184 lbs – WSU won by forfeit
197 lbs – Alexander Grant (WSU) dec. Diara Spencer (FS), OT 4-1
235 lbs – Keelen Mitcham (WSU) pinned Michael Brent (FS), 4:15
285 lbs – WSU won by forfeit
Idaho 42, Fresno State 24
125 lbs – Zachary Macdonald (IDA) pinned Gabriel Martinez (FS), 1:28
133 lbs – Kevin Martinez (IDA) pinned Nathen Diaz (FS), 2:57
141 lbs – Benito Saldivar (FS) won by forfeit
149 lbs – William Wareham (FS) won by forfeit
157 lbs – Andrew Schafer (IDA) pinned Damian Galvan (FS), 3:49
165 lbs – Robert Lee (IDA) pinned Josiah Rowland (FS), 4:48
174 lbs – IDA won by forfeit
184 lbs – IDA won by forfeit
197 lbs – Diara Spencer (FS) pinned Hunter Walden (IDA), 1:35
235 lbs – Michael Brent (FS) won by forfeit
285 lbs – IDA won by forfeit
Next Up
Fresno State returns to action January 31-February 1, 2025, at the Western Regional Duals and NCWA Women's Freestyle Nationals hosted by Utah Tech in St. George, Utah.
