Cal Poly tops Air Force, caps undefeated homestand
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- The Cal Poly wrestling program finished off a perfect 3-0 weekend at home Sunday, defeating Big 12 foe Air Force 23-17 at Mott Athletics Center.
The Mustangs fended off the Falcons, No. 15 in the FloWrestling Team Tournament rankings, in their final nonconference dual to improve to 4-1 this season. On Friday, Cal Poly opened a stretch of three straight home duals with victories over American University and Northern Colorado, No. 14 in the latest Open Mat Team Tournament rankings.
Leading 20-11 with two bouts remaining, Jarad Priest stepped on the mat at 197 pounds looking to clinch Cal Poly's third straight dual win — and he did just that. With his match knotted at 2-2 in the third period, Priest earned a clutch takedown and secured over a minute of riding time to grab a 6-3 decision over Air Force's Calvin Sund. With the triumph, Priest improved to 4-1 in duals on the season and capped off an undefeated weekend on the mat (3-0).
Three other Mustangs went a perfect 3-0 across Cal Poly's three home duals — redshirt sophomore Chance Lamer, redshirt freshman Zeth Romney and freshman Daschle Lamer.
Romney capped off his unblemished weekend on the mat at 133 pounds with a commanding 17-1 technical fall (6:47) victory over Air Force's Bubba Wright. The ninth-ranked 133-pounder in the country improved to 15-5 overall and 4-1 in duals this year.
Chance kept his undefeated dual record (5-0) as a Mustang intact, securing a 17-9 major decision at 149 pounds. Chance, ranked No. 6 in the nation in his weight class, grabbed four more takedowns in his bout — giving him 26 in duals this season. He improved to 11-1 with the win.
Daschle dazzled the home crowd for the third straight dual, defeating his opponent at 174 pounds by a 6-0 decision. In Friday's battle with American, the true freshman made his debut in the Mustangs' dual lineup and didn't disappoint. His three dual victories allowed him to move to 9-3 in his collegiate career.
Legend Lamer, the oldest of the three Lamer brothers currently on Cal Poly's squad, put on a dominant performance at 157 points, capturing a 16-0 technical fall victory (4:03). Legend, ranked No. 29 at 157 pounds, improved to 4-1 in duals and 8-4 overall.
The three home duals marked the first time Legend, Chance and Daschle have all wrestled in the same lineup together. The Lamer brothers posted a combined record of 8-1 across the three duals.
Redshirt freshman Dom Mendez, ranked No. 29 nationally at 125 pounds, opened Sunday's dual against Air Force with an impressive 16-5 victory by major decision over No. 33 Tucker Owens. It was his third win over a ranked opponent this season.
Despite coming up short in his bout at 184 pounds, Kendall La Rosa battled to the bitter end against Air Force's Sam Wolf, ranked No. 6 in the country, falling by a 7-3 decision.
Cal Poly travels to Corvallis on Friday for a 6 p.m. dual with No. 16 Oregon State to open its Pac-12 slate.