ST. GEORGE, Utah. — November 23, 2024

The Fresno State Wrestling Club made its first out-of-state trip of the 2024-25 season on November 23, traveling to St. George, Utah, to compete at the UT Tech Stampede Invitational.

The tournament featured a deep field of competitors from across the western United States, including athletes from Utah Tech, Snow College, the University of Utah, UNLV, Colorado State, Ottawa University, and San Jose State. The event provided the Bulldogs with an early-season measuring stick against some of the top competition in the region.

Leading the way for Fresno State was Gabriela Ruacho, who advanced to the finals at 180 pounds to earn a runner-up finish. After defeating Utah Tech's Kaylah Harrison in the quarterfinals, Ruacho earned a spot in the championship match against Utah Tech's Katie Law. Law entered the season ranked No. 2 nationally in the NCWA, and while Ruacho fell short in the title bout, her runner-up finish was one of the Bulldogs' top performances of the tournament.

William Wareham also turned in an impressive performance, placing third at 149 pounds. Wareham battled through a competitive bracket that included wrestlers from Colorado State, San Jose State, Snow College, and the University of Utah. His third-place finish marked the highest placement on the men's side for Fresno State.

Michael Brent joined Wareham on the podium with a third-place finish of his own. Brent opened the tournament with three consecutive victories before ultimately finishing third in a bracket featuring several nationally competitive opponents.

Tournament Recap

Men's Recap

125 lbs – Gabriel Martinez (4th Place)
Opened the tournament against a tough bracket before earning a 19-3 technical fall over Bekzat Nurmakhanov (Colorado State).

133 lbs – Christian Saldana (6th Place)
Earned sixth place after competing in a bracket that included opponents from San Jose State and the University of Utah.

133 lbs – Nicholas Needham (7th Place)
Finished seventh after battling through a competitive bracket featuring opponents from the University of Utah and Ottawa University.

149 lbs – William Wareham (3rd Place)
Recorded falls over Ezekiel Seigrist (Colorado State), Jack MacAndrew (San Jose State), and Logan Diether (University of Utah) to claim third place.

157 lbs – Damian Galvan (7th Place)
Finished seventh, highlighted by an 18-12 sudden-victory win over Adam Davis (Colorado State) in the placement match.

165 lbs – Josiah Rowland (6th Place)
Opened with victories over Matthew Burciaga (San Jose State) and Wyatt Sheldon (Unattached) before placing sixth.

165 lbs – Ayson Channita
Competed in a deep 165-pound bracket against wrestlers from Snow College and Utah Tech.

174 lbs – Jason Briseño (6th Place)
Placed sixth after competing against opponents from San Jose State, Utah Tech, Snow College, the University of Utah, and UNLV.

235 lbs – Michael Brent (3rd Place)
Opened the tournament with falls over opponents from UNLV, Ottawa University, and San Jose State before finishing third.

Women's Recap

138 lbs – Delilah Lozano (7th Place)
Competed in the 138-pound bracket and finished seventh.

145 lbs – Ebony Cardenas (7th Place)
Earned a victory over Anastacia Fucci (Colorado State) and finished seventh.

180 lbs – Gabriela Ruacho (2nd Place)
Defeated Kaylah Harrison (Utah Tech) by 6-4 decision before advancing to the finals, where she faced No. 2-ranked Katie Law (Utah Tech) to finish as tournament runner-up.

Next Up

Fresno State returns to action on December 6 when the Bulldogs travel to Costa Mesa, California, for dual competition against Westcliff University, Vanguard University, and Menlo College.