Cal Baptist
Mustangs Cap Dual Season with Commanding Win at CBU
2/16/2024 9:30:00 PM | Wrestling
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In its final dual of the season, the Cal Poly wrestling program cruised to a 32-3 victory at Cal Baptist on Friday night inside Van Dyne Gym.
The Mustangs (6-5) won nine of the 10 bouts, including the first five to finish their dual season on a high note and snap a three-match losing streak. Three Cal Poly wrestlers also captured their first career dual victory.
Redshirt freshman Dom Mendez set the tone in the opening bout and made it clear Cal Poly wasn't messing around. The 31st-ranked 125-pounder in the country secured a takedown in the final five seconds of his match to secure a 4-1 decision over No. 24 Elijah Griffin. The victory was Mendez's fourth over a nationally ranked opponent this season.
Redshirt freshman Ty Chandler (133 pounds) and redshirt sophomore Abe Hinrichsen (141) both picked up tight victories by decision to keep things rolling for the Mustangs. For Chandler, it was his first career dual win.
Redshirt sophomore Chance Lamer, ranked No. 9 in the nation at 149 pounds, took care of business in his match, grabbing a commanding 15-0 technical fall (7:00). Chance improved to 15-3 overall and 9-2 in duals with the win. He also had three takedowns, giving him a team-high 38 in duals this season.
Redshirt junior Legend Lamer stepped on the mat right after his younger brother and put on a dominant performance, securing a 12-2 major decision while grabbing his team-high seventh four-point near fall in a dual this season. The 26th-ranked 157-pounder in the country moved to 11-7 on the year.
At 174 pounds, No. 9 Adam Kemp controlled his match from start to finish en route to a 5-1 decision. The graduate student locked up a perfect record in duals this season — finishing 4-0 — and improved to 14-3 overall.
Wrestling at 184 pounds for the first time in his collegiate career, redshirt junior Daniel Vizcarra stepped up and grabbed a 13-7 decision thanks to a strong third period. It was his first dual win as a Mustang.
Then at 197 pounds, freshman Tyler Hodges made his dual debut and earned a 4-1 decision in dramatic fashion, securing a takedown with five seconds left in the bout.
Trevor Tinker, ranked No. 22 in the country at heavyweight, capped off an impressive performance by the Mustangs with a 16-0 technical fall (5:35) at 285 pounds. Tinker improved to 9-3 overall and 6-1 in duals.
The Mustangs were without three of their starters Friday, but the team was unfazed.
Tinker and graduate student Michael Goldfeder will head to the Patriot Last Chance Open hosted by George Mason University on Sunday, Feb. 25 to wrap up regular season action for the Mustangs. Cal Poly travels to Corvallis on Sunday, March 10, to compete in the Pac-12 Championships hosted by Oregon State.
Players Mentioned
