End of an Era: Bulldogs Close Season at NCWA National Championships

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — March 9-11, 2023

Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and the colorful streets of Old San Juan, the Fresno State Wrestling Club closed the book on one of the most memorable chapters in program history.

The 2023 NCWA National Championships marked the end of an era for the Bulldogs. After eight seasons leading the program, Head Coach Omar Benavides coached his final tournament. Alongside him, three graduating seniors—team captain Nicholas Martino and brothers Luis Jauregui and Ricardo Jauregui—stepped onto the mat for the final collegiate matches of their careers.

For Martino, the weekend carried unfinished business.

A year earlier, his National Championship hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion after surrendering a last-second takedown in the quarterfinals. One season later, history repeated itself.

After advancing to the national semifinals as the tournament's No. 2 seed, Martino found himself protecting a one-point lead with only seconds remaining. Once again, his opponent found a desperation takedown in the closing moments, handing Martino a 5-4 loss and ending his bid for a National Championship.

Rather than letting the defeat define his career, Martino wrestled back for third place.

For the final match of his collegiate career, he chose not to wear Fresno State's traditional club singlet. Instead, he stepped onto the mat wearing a gray military-inspired “Salute to Service" singlet accented with American flags—a singlet once worn by his older brother, Brandon, during Fresno State's NCAA Division I era.

Standing in his corner were his father, Anthony Martino, serving as an assistant coach, and Head Coach Omar Benavides coaching his final tournament.

When the final whistle blew, Martino smiled, shook his opponent's hand, and quietly said,

“I love wrestling!"

It was a simple sentence that perfectly captured a journey that nearly never happened. After stepping away from competitive wrestling for nearly two years, Martino returned to the sport through the Fresno State Wrestling Club, became an NCWA All-American, captured a conference championship, earned Outstanding Wrestler honors, and finished his career as one of the program's most accomplished athletes.

The tournament also marked the final collegiate appearances for Luis Jauregui and Ricardo Jauregui, who closed their wrestling careers together on the national stage. Meanwhile, Warner Pacific transfer Aaron Vang left Puerto Rico with a newfound appreciation for the level of competition awaiting him at the National Championships, while Michael Brent, Evelyn Guzman, and Jamilynne Gonzalez gained valuable experience in their first appearances on wrestling's biggest NCWA stage.

As the Bulldogs departed Puerto Rico, the season came to a close—but so did a remarkable chapter in Fresno State Wrestling Club history.

Tournament Recap

157 lbs — Nicholas Martino (4th Place, All-American)
After receiving an opening-round bye, Martino defeated Chris Fanelli (Montclair State) by technical fall, David Norris (Apprentice) by decision, and seventh-seeded Christian Govan (East Carolina) by major decision to advance to the national semifinals. Martino dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 decision to sixth-seeded James Lunt (Springfield Tech) before rebounding with a 7-1 victory over Elijah Kidder (Grand Valley State). He finished fourth after falling to third-seeded Alex Rivera (Bellarmine), earning NCWA All-American honors.

165 lbs — Aaron Vang
Vang opened his tournament with a 40-second fall over Wesley Frias (Ana G. Mendez). He then fell to fourth-seeded Ethan Baker (Apprentice) before being eliminated by Hamza Sawalha (Akron).

184 lbs — Luis Jauregui
Following an opening-round bye, Jauregui pinned Christian Perrine (West Chester) before falling to second-seeded Kennedy Wyatt (Bellarmine). He battled back with a 7-4 decision over Raul Alzaga (Ana G. Mendez) before his tournament concluded against Joseph Ryan (UConn).

197 lbs — Michael Brent
After receiving a first-round bye, Brent fell to second-seeded Seth Konynenbelt (Grand Valley State). His tournament came to a close against Anthony Taylor (Ottawa Arizona).

235 lbs — Ricardo Jauregui
Jauregui opened with a 12-2 major decision over Cap Holley (South Carolina). Following a loss to Jacob Westfall (Western Washington), he battled back with victories over Gavin Wurm (Ohio State WC) and Stephen Levine (Central Florida) before being eliminated by Keelen Mitcham (Washington State).

123 lbs — Evelyn Guzman
After receiving an opening-round bye, Guzman fell to top-seeded Lauren Stone (Florida) before being eliminated by Asia Ronan-Johnson (Florida A&M).

130 lbs — Jamilynne Gonzalez
Gonzalez fell to Kimberly Iglesias Rodriguez (Florida) in the opening round. After a consolation bye, she rebounded with a fall over Sydnie Dunham (Apprentice) before her tournament came to a close against Aurora Emmons (Texas State).