Event: Cliff Keen Collegiate Invite
Records: UC Davis (0-1)
Where: Star of the Desert Arena; Primm, Nevada
When: Friday and Saturday, all day
Who to watch: Junior Barrett Abel led the Aggies at the Fullerton Open with a pin of Cal Babtist’s Benjamin Garcia to take first place in the 149-pound weight class.
The Diamond Springs, Calif. native has been one of the Aggies leaders so far this year, as he is one of the three main returning starters from last year. Abel is looking to have another strong year after finishing the 2008-09 season with a 20-7 individual record at 149 pounds.
Did you know? All but three of the Aggies’ 2009-10 wrestlers are from California. Junior Brandon Low and freshman Michael Nakagawa are from Honolulu, Haw. and freshman Niels Brisbane hails from Lynden, Wash.
Preview: The Aggies are looking for another strong showing in Nevada this weekend after having four Aggie wrestlers place at the Fullerton open.
Abel took first in the 149-pound weight class, while heavyweight wrestler Ricky Alcala took home second in his class after he defaulted before the final match. Freshman Hoehne finished second at 197 and Joey Wilson finished third wrestling at 165.
As a young team, the Aggies are still trying to find their identity this season. They are hoping to find it in their early season tournaments. This weekend in Nevada will be a good opportunity as UC Davis should see some tough competition.
The Aggies finished 20th last year at the Cliff Keen tournament as they faced national powerhouses such as Nebraska, Cornell, Minnesota and Pac-10 conference rival Boise State.
UC Davis will be leaning on their experienced wrestlers all season, hoping that Abel, Alcala and nationally ranked Brandon Low will be able to help the Aggies get ready for Pac-10 play starting with a very tough weekend in Nevada.
– Kyle Hyland
