The night began with an introduction of the alumni squad, led by former head coach Dennis DeLiddo and Harold and DeWayne Zinkin, two more former WAC champions. Then the action started as the 2005-06 squad under head coach Shawn Charles used the opportunity to see the new wrestlers in their first live action against new opponents on the year, as each match went three periods of one minute each.
Moving from lightest to heaviest, the night started with Olympic Silver Medalist Stephen Abas taking on four straight opponents in the 125-133 pound weight range. Abas cruised through the match, proving he was still in top form, though potential 125 starter Eugene Yasutomi, a transfer from Fresno City had Abas in trouble in his section.
The Bulldogs picked up their first win on the night when Garrett Spooner picked up a major decision off of Ben Martinez. 2004 Region Champion Casey Olsen answered back for the alumni, stealing a 3-1 decision from Charles Jones, and 2005 graduate Jimmy Medeiros continued the streak by taking a 9-3 decision over Devereaux Solis.
The Alumni escaped with their second of four close shaves when Paris Ruiz was able to grab a 4-2 decision over Dan Cadwallader moving to the higher weights. Then, in one of the more anticipated alumni-Bulldog matches, Eddy Gifford took advantage of a near fall in the second period to grab a 8-2 win over his younger brother Greg Gifford. Following that match, 2000 Region Champion Tim Cornish grabbed a takedown in the final twenty seconds to beat Andrew Meredith 3-2.
The final two matches involved the big boys, and no one was disappointed as the 2005-06 heavyweights Cody Parker and Wade Sauer faced off against former All-Americans Billy Blunt and Marcio Botelho. Both times, though, the alumni came out victorious to finish off the fun night.
The 2005-06 Bulldog wrestlers begin their season on November 19, when the team travels to the Los Angeles area to take part in the Fullerton Open. The Bulldogs' dual season begins at home on December 10, when the Bulldogs host a NCAA Western Region rival, Wyoming, at 2 p.m. in the North Gym.
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