Mares, Nieves Highlight Fresno State at Mat Cat Open
McMINNVILLE, Ore. – January 7, 2024
The Fresno State Wrestling Club returned to action Sunday at the Mat Cat Open, hosted by Linfield University, competing against a diverse field that included NCWA Northwest Conference opponents Western Washington, Pacific Lutheran, and Grays Harbor, as well as NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA programs.
The event provided Fresno State with valuable head-to-head competition against conference rivals while continuing to test the roster against a wide range of styles and experience levels early in the 2024 calendar.
WOMEN’S RECAP
The Fresno State women’s squad competed in freestyle, a departure from the folkstyle format the team primarily trains and competes in during the collegiate season.
Despite the style adjustment, 136lbs – Vanessa Mares delivered a strong performance in a deep bracket, finishing fourth overall while recording wins over highly regarded NCWA and NJCAA opponents. Mares placed ahead of several ranked competitors, further strengthening her résumé and reinforcing her standing among the top 136-pound wrestlers in the NCWA ahead of upcoming rankings.
Additional Fresno State competitors gaining freestyle experience included 136lbs – Alexus Chavira, 136lbs – Ebony Cardenas, 116lbs – Darlene Ortiz, and 101lbs – Jasmin Ruiz, each using the event to gain exposure against Northwest Conference, NJCAA, and NCAA-affiliated opponents.
MEN’S RECAP
On the men’s side, 197lbs – Justin Nieves anchored the Fresno State lineup with a strong showing in folkstyle competition. Nieves advanced to the semifinals before suffering a setback, then battled back through the consolation rounds to finish third, facing multiple NCWA Northwest Conference opponents along the way and continuing to establish himself as a consistent presence in the upper weights.
Other Bulldogs competing at the Mat Cat Open included 149lbs – Damian Galvan-Calderon, 133lbs – Titus Mouanoutoua, 125lbs – Jerry Coleman, 184lbs – Steven Alcocer, and 285lbs – Michael Brent, all of whom gained valuable mat time against a mix of NCWA, NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA opposition.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will travel to Aberdeen, WA, to compete at the NCWA Regional Duals on January 27–28, 2024, hosted by Grays Harbor College. The dual-meet tournament will feature both men’s and women’s divisions as the Bulldogs continue conference competition.
