Cardinal Displays Depth in Win

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Missing three All-Americans from its lineup, the No. 15 Stanford wrestling team showed off its depth in a 22-15 victory on the road at CSU Bakersfield, Sunday, at the Icardo Center.

The Cardinal was without Connor Schram (133 pounds), Joey McKenna (141 pounds) and Jim Wilson (174 pounds), but still won six of the 10 bouts and avenged a dual loss from last season to the Roadrunners.

Sunday's dual began at 157 pounds, where Stanford redshirt sophomore Paul Fox put the Cardinal on the board first with a 6-2 decision over Jacob Thalin. Fox registered takedowns in the first and second periods, and held a 4-2 lead going into the third. He chose down to start the final frame, tallying the escape and ended the match with 2:42 of riding time. It was the first dual win for Fox this season as he improves to 16-10 overall.

Redshirt junior Keaton Subjeck added to the Stanford lead with a hard-fought 7-5 decision over Lorenzo De La Riva at 165 pounds. Tied 3-3 after the first, De La Riva took a 4-3 edge going into the final period. Subjeck started in the down position, quickly tallying the escape to tie it 4-4. Subjeck recorded another takedown and added riding time, but gave up a stalling point to De La Riva. Subjeck is now 3-0 in duals this season and moves to 12-4 overall. 

Redshirt senior Peter Galli, wrestling up a weight at 174 pounds, made quick work of Matt Penyacsek recording a fall in 2:42. It is the fifth pin of the season for Galli, who is now 15-4 on the season.

The Roadrunners won their first match at 184 pounds as Bryan Battisto posted a 15-2 major decision over Stanford senior Zach Nevills, cutting the Stanford lead to 12-4.

Redshirt senior captain Josh Marchok then held off 18th-ranked Matt Williams, 6-4, at 197 pounds to give Stanford a 15-4 lead in the dual. Marchok improves to 3-1 in duals this season and 4-3 overall.

Nathan Butler, ranked 10th nationally, added to the Cardinal lead with a 10-1 major decision over Dominic Balmer at 285 pounds. Butler notched three takedowns, an escape, two stalling points and 4:11 of riding time in the win. He is now 3-1 in duals and 15-5 on the year.

Fresh off his first Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week honor, true freshman Gabriel Townsell picked up 7-4 decision over Sean Nickell. Townsell, ranked 18th at 125 pounds, collected three takedowns and 1:13 of riding time in the win. It marked the first dual win of his career as he is now 9-6 overall.

After redshirt senior Peter Russo dropped a 9-1 major decision at 133 pounds, the Roadrunners added three more points at 141 pounds. Russell Rohlfing, ranked 17th nationally, recorded a 10-4 decision over true freshman Brandon Kier. Coleman Hammond capped off the dual with a 12-2 win over Walker Dempsey at 149 pounds.

The Cardinal remains on the road next week, traveling to New York City to wrestle Princeton on Saturday, Jan. 14. Stanford will also face Drexel and Penn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday, Jan. 15.

No. 15 Stanford 22, CSU Bakersfield 15