History Made as Fresno State Women’s Wrestling Club Debuts at Menlo Open
ATHERTON, Calif. – January 3, 2015
The Fresno State Wrestling Club marked a historic milestone at the 2015 Menlo Open, held January 2–3 at Menlo College’s Haynes-Prim Pavilion, as the program’s first-ever women’s wrestlers took the mat. Amanda Ortiz (109 lbs) and Rossana Aguilar (123 lbs) became pioneers for the Bulldog women’s team, competing in the Friday women’s division against top NAIA and collegiate talent.
The moment was a significant step forward for Fresno State Wrestling, as Ortiz became the first woman to officially represent the school in a collegiate wrestling match. Aguilar followed shortly after, helping establish the foundation for future growth in the women’s program.
The men’s team hit the mats the following day on January 3, entering five wrestlers into a stacked bracket that included NCAA Division II programs, elite NAIA teams, and NCAA Division I redshirts. The Bulldogs who competed were:
141 lbs - Dylan McCombs
149 lbs - Jovany Gonzalez
165 lbs - Omar Benavides
197 lbs - Adam Wong
285 lbs - Jesus Marez-Lopez
Each took on high-level competition and gained valuable experience on the mat.
Though the tournament presented no easy draws, the Fresno State wrestlers held their own and walked away with lessons that will shape the rest of their season. For a young and growing club program, these opportunities are crucial steps in building toughness, confidence, and unity.
With the women’s team now officially launched and the men continuing to challenge themselves against some of the best college athletes in the region, Fresno State Wrestling remains focused on long-term development, staying true to its mission: wrestle hard, grow the sport, and keep showing up.
