Young Bakersfield Squad Handles Young Adams State Squad In Opener

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Melissa Wilson (CSUB Sports Information)
12/05/2002


BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. - The youngest Cal State Bakersfield wrestling team in recent memory opened the 2002-03 season with a solid 28-12 win over an almost equally youthful squad from Adams State College Wednesday night in the Icardo Center on the CSUB campus.    The Roadrunners dropped the opening two matches to the 13th-ranked NCAA Division II team before storming back to take seven of the final eight decisions for the victory. The win puts CSUB at 1-0 as it takes a three-week break from dual meet competition to participate in the Las Vegas and Midlands invitationals over the Christmas holiday break.    The feature match of the night came at 133 pounds, where CSUB NCAA Division I qualifier Matt Sanchez (Gilroy, Calif.) took an action filled 18-7 major decision from 2001 NCAA Division II Champion Adam Mars. It was 6-5 after the first period before Sanchez parlayed two takedowns and two back points into a secure 13-6 advantage. Sanchez did not allow an offensive point after the first period.    Where the 133-pound match was the most anticipated, the most exciting finish came in the opening match of the eveningat 149 pounds. CSUB's Jon Sharpe (Temecula, Calif.) scored a takedown and three back points with 10 seconds left turn a sure 8-4 loss into a 9-8 lead. With just four seconds remaining, however, Messersmith slithered away from additional back points and earned a reversal to take an improbable 10-9 victory.    Travis Koppenhafer gave the Grizzlies a 7-0 lead by taking a 16-8 major decision from Brian Cobb (San Jose, Calif.) at 157 pounds. From that point, the 'Runners took control of the match. Sophomore Brian Busby (San Diego, Calif.) set the tone at 165 pounds.    Trailing Scott Cleve 2-1 entering the third period, Busby shunned convention and chose the up position to start the third period. Busby's aggressive decision paid handsome dividends as he rode Cleve out, scoring nine back points in the period en route to an 11-2 major decision.    Sophomore 197-pounder Scott O'Rear (Bakersfield/Centennial HS) brought the crowd to its feet three matches later, translating the first takedown of the match into a pin of Manny Pacillas at the 2:22 mark. Sophomore Efren Ceballos (Manteca, Calif.) all but clinched the team victory with a 16-5 major decision over promising Adams State freshman Rob McCabe at 125 pounds.