PRESCOTT, Ariz. - Vanguard Wrestling had a busy weekend as they headed to the Valley of the Sun for two dual meets and then participated in the Mile High Collegiate Open the next day. Although the Lions lost the Dual Meets, they really turned it on in the Collegiate Open as they had multiple athletes that would finish in the top four in their weight division.
Vanguard vs. Campbellsville
The Lions took on the 5th-ranked Campbellsville University Tigers for their first matchup in the Mile High Duals. The Lions had to forfeit in the 125, 165, and 184-pound weight divisions due to injury. Marvin Galette kicked things off with a victory by fall over Sunny Luna (FR/Victorville, CA). Andrew Gomez (SR/Yorba Linda, CA) fought hard but lost in a decision 5-7. in the 149-pound division, Campellsville's Michael Deimer earned a major decision victory over Juan Lopez III (FR/Fontana, CA) in the third match of the night, and Brian Isaias (FR/Villa Park, CA) also lost in a 12-6 decision to Tristan Sellmer.
Armon Fayyazi (JR/Irvine, CA) put the first points on the board for the Blue and Gold as he earned a 8-6 decision victory over Mahlic Sallah. Zach Linton earned another six points for his team as he pinned Andrew Shin (FR/Glendora, CA) three minutes and fourteen seconds into the match. Joshua Sapien (JR/Hacienda Heights, CA) lost a narrow 1-3 decision for the last match of the night. VU scored three points by caution, ten by escape, two by reversal, two by stalling, and five by takedown.
Vanguard vs. Sierra College
In their second matchup of the night, Vanguard was defeated by Sierra College 36-18. VU had to forfeit in the 125 and the 184-pound divisions but picked up six points in the 141-pound division as the Wolverines were not able to send anyone out to face Luna. Steven Kroesen (FR/Laguna Hills, CA) started things off with a bang for the Blue and Gold as he won the contest by fall 1:15 into the match. Unfortunately, the roles were reversed in the next matchup as Grant Anderson was able to pin Michael Leinenger (FR/Rancho Bernardo, CA) at the 3:45 mark.
Ryan Ojeda and Devyn Kreb were able to keep things rolling for Sierra as they both scored falls over Lopez III and Isaias. Fayyazi continued his dominant performance in an absolute battle as he defeated Joseph Valdez in a 14-11 decision. Hunter Gonzalez was able to secure the Wolverines' fourth fall of the night in his matchup against Shin. Sapien ended things on a high note as he earned a 5-4 decision victory over Alex Mosqueda.
Mile High Open Results
The next day, the Lions would compete in the Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Mile High Open. Luna went 3-2 on the day, earning himself a sixth-place finish in the 133-pound division. Kroesen, who also competed at 133 pounds, went 1-2 on the day with an 11-1 opening match victory. Gomez went undefeated in his three matches in the 141-pound division, finishing in first place. Leininger was able to pin Ethan Boren of OUAZ at the 4:22 mark of his second match of the day, going 1-2 overall.
Lopez III earned a major decision victory in his second match of the day as he would also finish 1-2 overall. Isaias went 2-2 in the 157-pound division as he earned a major decision victory in the quarterfinals and a decision victory in the consolation semifinals. Fayyazi took home a third-place finish in the 174-pound division as he went 4-1 with three decision victories and a technical fall victory. Shin finished 0-2 in the 197-pound division, losing a close one in the third-place match. Sapien went 3-1, taking home fourth place as he pinned Caleb Baker of ACU and scored another decision victory.
Next Match: Thursday, November 21st at Arizona Christian University at 5:00 p.m. hosted by Life Pacific University
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