SACRAMENTO, Calif. — February 16, 2025

The Fresno State Wrestling Club traveled to Sacramento on February 16 for the NCWA California State Championships, the final competition before the conference championships.

After a season filled with injuries, lineup changes, and roster attrition, the Bulldogs arrived looking to gain valuable matches and momentum heading into the postseason. While Fresno State had previously found itself in the hunt for team championships at the event, this year's squad entered with a smaller roster and a different objective: getting quality competition before the matches that mattered most.

The Bulldogs were led by freshman Valeria Mendoza, who captured the California State title at 131 pounds. Mendoza dominated her bracket, recording three falls in a combined 2:09 of mat time on her way to the championship. Her performance highlighted the day for Fresno State and continued an impressive first season in the Red and Blue.

On the men's side, William Wareham turned in the highest finish for the Bulldogs, advancing to the 157-pound finals before placing second. Wareham recorded three falls on his path to the championship match and continued to establish himself as one of Fresno State's most reliable performers down the stretch of the season.

Kyler Rodriguez also reached the podium with a third-place finish at 149 pounds, while Josiah Rowland battled back to place fifth at 165 pounds. Fresno State finished sixth in the men's team standings and fourth in the women's standings.

With the regular season now complete, the Bulldogs shift their focus to the NCWA West Coast Conference Championships and the start of the postseason.

Tournament Recap

Men's Recap

125 lbs – Gabriel Martinez
Martinez fell to Kokayi Mayfield (Menlo NCWA) and Joseph Jimenez (Sacramento State).

149 lbs – Kyler Rodriguez (3rd Place)
Rodriguez opened the tournament with falls over William Park (UCLA) and Jack MacAndrew (San Jose State) before finishing third.

157 lbs – William Wareham (2nd Place)
Wareham recorded falls over Brandon Cabrera (UC Riverside), Ayden Archuleta (Sacramento State), and James Weiler (UCLA) en route to the championship match.

165 lbs – Josiah Rowland (5th Place)
Rowland finished the tournament with a fall over Vincent Cheung (UC Riverside) in the fifth-place match.

235 lbs – Michael Brent (4th Place)
Brent placed fourth in the heavyweight bracket.

Women's Recap

124 lbs – Natalia Villalobos (2nd Place)
Villalobos opened the tournament with a fall over Areeya Phasook (Sacramento State) before advancing to the finals.

131 lbs – Valeria Mendoza (Champion)
Mendoza claimed the California State title with three falls over Priyanka Tandel (Sacramento State), Alondra Paredes (Sacramento State), and Juliet Paiz (UC Riverside).