Fresno State Grits Through 2017 NCWA Nationals; Aguilar Falls Just Short of All-American Repeat
ALLEN, Texas – March 9–11, 2017
The 2017 NCWA National Championships were held March 9–11 at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas. More than 80 college programs converged from across the country, representing all types of schools—large public universities, private institutions, military academies, and junior colleges. Some fielded full rosters; others brought a handful of determined individuals. Each came with one goal: to test themselves on the biggest stage the National Collegiate Wrestling Association offers.
For Fresno State Wrestling Club, it marked another year with a strong presence at nationals—sending five men and three women, all of whom had earned their place through rigorous competition at the West Coast Conference Championships. With the shadow of the returning NCAA Division I wrestling program looming, there was pride and uncertainty in the air. But for the wrestlers in red and blue, it was about this team, this moment, and this shot to leave a mark.
Tournament Recap
141 lbs – Llimy Garcia
Garcia's first trip to nationals came with tough draws. He dropped his opening bout to Tim Ellinger (Montana Tech) and was eliminated in the consolations by Dakota Smith (Akron). His run may have ended early, but the experience will fuel his return.
157 lbs – Marcus Marquez
Opening against #4 seed Joe Staley (James Madison), Marquez battled but fell in his first bout. He picked up a forfeit win in the wrestlebacks, but a rematch with Andres Piedra (Arizona)—who had beaten him at Conference—ended his season.
174 lbs – Armando Manzo
Manzo dropped a tight 3-1 match to #5 seed Trace Carello (Air Force Prep) to open his tournament, but bounced back with a pin over Hugo Martinez (Richland). He pushed Zachery Woods (UMass) into sudden victory overtime but came up short in a heartbreaker.
184 lbs – Luis Jauregui
Dropping his opening bout to #2 seed George VanValen (Alfred State) in the first round, Jauregui regrouped in impressive fashion, earning back-to-back wins over Spencer Trout (Wayne State) and Tinny Bowles (Ohio State WC). He ended his run against Randolph Prud'homme (Central Florida) but turned heads with his resilience. A strong nationals showing for the junior.
235 lbs – Jesus Izazaga
Wrestling in his final collegiate tournament, Izazaga opened with a solid 7-3 win over Andrew Gilles (Colorado State). He lost in the second round to #3 seed Harun Bogdanic (Grand Valley State), rebounded with a gritty win over Dominic Johnson (Mott CC), then bowed out against Henry Gregory (UMBC). The senior walks away with a legacy of toughness and leadership.
123 lbs – Rossana Aguilar
Returning All-American Rossana Aguilar ran into trouble early against Victoria Norris (Ottawa). She rebounded with a 16-0 tech fall over Chassity Todacheenie (Arizona), but would face Norris again in the third-place bout, coming up short and finishing just outside All-American status. Still, another strong national tournament for the Fresno State standout.
130 lbs – Yuritzi Boyzo
Boyzo opened against #2 seed Lacey Henderson (Ottawa), then faced #3 KaMele Sanchez (Colorado State) in consolations, ending her tournament early against two of the bracket’s best.
136 lbs – Gurleen Chahal
Chahal wrestled tough in her nationals debut, losing her opening bout to Sha'nice Jackson (Ottawa), and going to sudden victory overtime against Kendal Davis (Colorado State) before falling just short.
The tournament didn’t produce podium finishes, but it offered a deeper lesson in perseverance. The NCWA landscape is no easy road, and for this young Fresno State team, every match wrestled on the national stage becomes a building block.
With Fresno State’s NCAA Division I wrestling program officially returning next season, the club’s future will evolve—but it will not disappear. The Fresno State Wrestling Club will continue to operate, compete, and offer opportunities to athletes who want to chase their wrestling dreams outside the varsity ranks.
This chapter may be ending, but the story is far from over. The Bulldogs will be back, tougher and wiser, ready to make another climb.
