Dec. 8, 2007

San Luis Obispo, CA - No. 2 -ranked and defending national champion Minnesota won seven of the first eight bouts to defeat Cal State Fullerton, 34-9, in a non-conference wrestling match Saturday evening in San Luis Obispo.

The Golden Gophers have eight nationally ranked wrestlers, six competed and all logged victories. The Fullerton wins came from John Drake at 197, 6-3 over Justin Bronson; from Morgan Atkinson at 149, 8-1 over Luke Mellmer; and from No. 5-ranked Wade Sauer at heavyweight, 5-1 over Joe Nord.

Fullerton's Ian Murphy lost to No. 2-ranked Roger Kish, 3-2, at 184, but the other six losses were all decisive.

"Our performance was not our best," said Titans' Head Coach Dan Hicks. "Several guys seemed to wait to see what the Minnesota wrestler would do and then react to him. We are inexperienced at several weights with the addition of two freshmen and a JC transfer at 157. It will take some time for them to be ready for big-time opponents with the credentials of Minnesota.

"Ian Murphy is still building back his endurance after being out quite a bit this Fall with injuries. He is about 80 percent. A 3-2 result with a guy who has been to the NCAA finals is pretty good.

"So back to the workout room to continue to train and be ready for Oregon State on Dec. 16."

Fullerton is now 1-2 in dual meet action. Minnesota later in the day wrestled Cal Poly and logged a 23-12 victory over the Mustangs.

No. 2 Minnesota 34, Cal State Fullerton 9

125 - #3 Jayson Ness (MN) fall Sean Roman-Marin (CSUF) 2:30

133 - #5 Mack Reiter (MN) tech fall No. 14 T.J. Dillashaw (CSUF) 18-2 (7:00)

141 - #2 Manuel Rivera (MN) fall Teddy Astorga (CSUF) 3:48

149 - #10 Morgan Atkinson (CSUF) dec. Luke Mellmer (MN) 8-1

157 - Tyler Safratowich (MN) tech fall Devin Velasquez (CSUF) 16-1 (6:17)

165 - #15 Scott Glasser (MN) maj Bryan Tice (CSUF) 13-2

174 - #7 Gabe Dretsch (MN) tech fall Todd Noel (CSUF) 16-1 (4:34)

184 - #2 Roger Kish (MN) dec #14 Ian Murphy (CSUF) 3-2

197 - John Drake (CSUF) dec Justin Bronson (MN) 6-3

Hwt - #5 Wade Sauer (CSUF) dec Joe Nord (MN) 5-1