Spencer Leads Bulldogs at Bill Musick Memorial
FRESNO, Calif. — November 9, 2024
The Fresno State Wrestling Club opened the 2024-25 season on Saturday at the Bill Musick Memorial Open, hosted by Fresno City College. Returning much of last season's roster while welcoming several new additions, the Bulldogs began the year with a strong showing against a field that featured NAIA, 3C2A, and NCWA competition.
The tournament also marked the start of a new era for the Bulldogs, as Head Coach Jovany Gonzalez officially entered the season without the interim tag after leading the program the previous year. Joining him on the coaching staff were new assistant coaches Otilio "O.T." Carrillo and Vanessa Mares, who returned to the program following her NCWA All-American campaign during the 2023-24 season.
The highlight of the day came at 197 pounds, where returning NCWA All-American Diara Spencer made his season debut after dropping down from 235 pounds. Spencer immediately drew one of the toughest tests available, facing returning NCWA National Champion Cesar Ubico of Utah Tech in the opening round.
Despite the difficult draw, Spencer battled the defending champion in a tightly contested match before falling by a narrow 4-2 decision. Rather than allowing the loss to derail his tournament, Spencer responded with an impressive run through the consolation bracket, winning five consecutive matches to earn a fifth-place finish.
"We knew we would see Ubico at this tournament, but definitely didn't expect to have him in the opening round," said Coach Gonzalez. "It was a great match, and we see where Diara stands against him. We may have started 0-1 against him, but hopefully tomorrow we see Utah Tech in our dual tournament and even the score."
Beyond Spencer's placement finish, the Bulldogs received valuable early-season mat time throughout the lineup as several returning wrestlers and newcomers tested themselves against collegiate competition.
Tournament Recap
125 lbs – Gabriel Martinez
Martinez dropped his opening match to Brennan Henderson (Sierra College) before being eliminated in consolation action by Caleb Valenzuela (Arizona Christian).
133 lbs – Christian Saldana
Saldana faced a difficult draw, falling to Dominic Clark (Menlo NCWA) before being eliminated by Makai Ito (Palomar College) in the consolation bracket.
133 lbs – Nathen Diaz
After receiving an opening-round bye, Diaz picked up a consolation fall over Mark Ramirez (Modesto Junior College). His tournament came to an end in a one-point loss to Kalvin Robbins (Sierra College).
149 lbs – Benito Saldivar
Saldivar opened the tournament with a 19-4 technical fall over Jack MacAndrew (San Jose State) before suffering back-to-back losses in the championship and consolation brackets.
149 lbs – William Wareham
Wareham recorded two falls to reach the quarterfinals, defeating Ernesto Apodaca (San Joaquin Delta) and Larry Cruz (Rio Hondo). His tournament concluded after losses to Tony Macaluso (Arizona Christian) and Evan Roy (Victor Valley College).
157 lbs – Josiah Rowland
Rowland rebounded from an early loss to Jericho Haarala (Utah Tech) with victories over Zavian Barrios (Fresno City College) and Zachary Hudlow (Palomar College). His run ended one match short of placing after a loss to Luciano Esoldo (Victor Valley College).
174 lbs – Jason Briseño
Briseño gained valuable collegiate experience in his season debut, competing against opponents from Victor Valley College and Simpson University.
197 lbs – Diara Spencer (5th Place)
After a narrow 4-2 loss to defending NCWA National Champion Cesar Ubico (Utah Tech), Spencer rattled off five straight victories in the consolation bracket. His run included wins over opponents from Fresno City College, Utah Tech, Lassen College, Palomar College, and Arizona Christian to secure a fifth-place finish.
285 lbs – Michael Brent
Brent earned a consolation fall over Sepehr Hojati (Sierra College) after dropping his opening match to Ruben Zarate (Utah Tech). He was later eliminated by Keala Mahe (Utah Tech).
Next Up
Fresno State returns to action on November 10, 2024, when the Bulldogs host the NCWA Veterans Day Duals at the Student Recreation Center – West Gym. The event will give Fresno State an opportunity to test itself in dual-meet competition against programs from across the western United States.
