Vic Moreno Wins Local Wrestling Club's First National Title

EVANSTON, IL - APRIL 30 - Former Cal Poly wrestling standout, Vic Moreno, captured first place at the University National Championships this past weekend to become the first ever National Champion for the San Luis Obispo based Meathead Wrestling Club. Wrestling in the 60 kilogram weight class of the freestyle division, Moreno defeated Mike Rowe of Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club to win the title. In all, the Meathead Wrestling Club member won six bouts without a loss. According to his coaches, the key match for Moreno was his quarterfinal victory over Nick Simmons of Michigan Wrestling Club. Simmons, a three-time NCAA All-America wrestler, had previously defeated Moreno at the 2005 NCAA Division 1 National Championships. Moreno's other victories were over John Espinoza of Sunkist Kids, William Simpson of West Point, Alex Cotreras of Sunkist Kids and Thomas Kimbrell of Roadrunner Express. Winning the Title qualifies him to compete at the University World Championships to be held in Mongolia on June 7th.

Other wrestlers competing recently for the Meathead Wrestling Club have also won medals at National level events. Cal Poly Assistant Wrestling Coach, Matt Azevedo, recently was runner-up in the 55 kilogram at the U.S. Open Freestyle National Championships held in Las Vegas. Azevedo will compete at the World Team Trials on May 27th for a shot at competing at the World Championships. Former Arroyo Grande High School standout and Cal Poly wrestler, Arturo Basulto placed 7th in the 120 kilogram weight class at the same event. Cal Poly red shirt freshman wrestler, Chase Pami, recently finished 7th in the 74 kilogram weight class at the Junior FILA National Championship.

The Meathead Wrestling Club is a recently formed Wrestling Club based in San Luis Obispo, committed to helping athletes reach and accomplish their athletic goals and develop into a strong and healthy individuals. The club welcomes wrestlers of all ages and skill levels to train, coach and represent the program in competitions locally and internationally.

Interview Contacts:

Aaron Steed, President of the Meathead Wrestling Club - 805-471-1035
Jeff Barksdale, Vice President of the Meathead Wrestling Club - 805-235-0135
Vic Moreno - 805-441-9033
Matt Azevedo - 805-459-6193

3/6/06 - THE WRESTLING REPORT

BEST PAC 10 FINISH EVER

RESULTS

Final Team Standings
1. Arizona State - 118.0 points
2. Cal Poly - 115.0 points
3. Boise State - 97.0 points
4. Oregon State - 93.0 points
5. CS Bakersfield - 85.0 points
6. UC Davis - 78.5 points
7. Stanford - 54.5 points
8. Oregon - 49.0 points
9. CS Fullerton - 41.5 points
10. Portland State - 1.0 point

Congratulations on an absolutely outstanding effort by your Cal Poly Mustangs! Two of the last three years Cal Poly has placed second in the PAC 10 Championships. These have been the two highest place finishes ever by Cal Poly. The effort exerted in 2006 ousted the 2004 season by more than 25 points. Cal Poly stormed the first session claiming 8 of 10 weight classes. The semi-finals proved a little more challenging as Poly sent three individuals to the PAC-10 Championship Finals. Chad Mendes (125) secured an exciting first period fall over Oregon State’s Eric Stevenson. David Roberts (141) also known as the Nebraska Killa wrestled a solid 7 minutes upending another Oregon State opponent and number one seed Kyle Larson. Matt Monteiro (197) dominated yet another Oregon State opponent in the semi finals earning a shot his first PAC 10 title. The five other semi finalist lost four of which were heartbreakingly close. Darrell Vasquez (133) lost to nemesis Scott Jorgeson of Boise State in a tight 4-3 squabble. Jeff Owens (149) was in deep on a shot with 15 seconds left in the match. The score was tied 1-1 and a reversal of fortune took place as Jeff rushed his finish lost control and was taken down off of his own shot with seconds left in the match. Robb Maxwell (165) defeated the number 7 ranked wrestler in the nation first round with an impressive performance. The semi finals Robb was winning going into the third period 2-0, but was unable to stop his opponents near fall efforts and lost 6-2. Nick Hernandez (174) continued his solid wrestling losing to the number one seed in double overtime. Hernandez, much like Owens, had the leg secure for the winning takedown, but lost control and was eventually taken down. Ryan Halsey (184) wrestled his nemesis in C.B Dollaway of Arizona State and lost 9-0.

Not only was this the highest point total Cal Poly has ever racked up. Your Mustangs also made another unprecedented accomplishment. All 10 wrestlers placed in the top six of this years PAC-10 Championships! Huge Congratulations to PAC-10 Champion Chad Mendes. Chad won the conference title by defeating nationally ranked Tanner Gardner of Stanford 7 –4. 

PLACE FINSHERS

125 Chad Mendes – CHAMPION **

133 Darrell Vasquez – 3^{rd **}

141 David Roberts – 2^{nd **}

149 Jeff Owens – 3^{rd **}

157 Ryan Williams –5^th

165 Robb Maxwell – 6^th

174 Nick Hernandez – 4^{th **}

184 Ryan Halsey – 5^{th **}

197 Matt Monteiro – 2^{nd **}

HWT – Arturo Basulto –5^th 

** Denotes the individuals who qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Top three are awarded automatic bids to Nationals while Nick Hernandez and Ryan Halsey were selected as wild cards. Cal Poly will be sending a Conference high of 7 wrestlers to the “SHOW.”

UP NEXT

NCAA Wrestling Championships

March 16 – 18 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

12 tickets left in the Cal Poly section – Email us back if you are interested in getting you tickets ASAP they are going quickly! 

Great job again Mustangs on a phenomenal team effort! The entertainment and fire is back and we are thankful that you can all be part of it! 

Cal Poly Coaching Staff

11/5/05 - 3rd annual MEATHEAD wrestling invitational @ Cuesta College

09/30/05 - "Meet Chuck Liddell." A benefit for the Meathead Wrestling Club.