After starting the season with four straight losses, the Bulldogs bounced back and won six of seven to bring their record to 6-5. Fresno State’s seventh win is easily within reach Friday evening against Duke.
The Bulldogs faced the Blue Devils on Jan. 10 as part of the Virginia Duals, winning in dominant fashion 50-0.
Fresno State had four duals in Virginia. In addition to beating Duke, the ‘Dogs beat Old Dominion 20-15 and Kent State 16-15. They also suffered a 22-18 loss to Maryland.
The Bulldogs won all 10 bouts against Duke, winning three by a Duke forfeit.
Heavyweight two-sport star Josh Hokit – who Bulldog fans watched on the gridiron for four years – is in line to pick up another win. He is 13-3 on the season, which includes a win by forfeit from Duke.
Hokit is set to face Blue Devils’ freshman heavyweight Jonah Niesenbaum, who is 1-10 this season.
The closest matchup last week was between Fresno State redshirt freshman Isaiah Perez and Vincent Baker from Duke. Perez won 6-3 by decision and is slated for a rematch with Baker at 197 pounds.
Fresno State has five nationally ranked wrestlers: DJ Lloren, Greg Gaxiola, Jacob Wright, Jackson Hemauer and Hokit.
Hokit is ranked No. 9 by Trackwrestling, the highest ranking for any Bulldog in all of the national rankings.
Lloren is on a seven-match win streak and has won 18 of his last 19 matches.
Here are the probable lineups for Friday’s dual:
Fresno State
125: Destin Summers, Fr. (3-5 overall, 1-3 dual)
133: Gary Joint, RSo. (8-8, 4-7)
141: DJ Lloren, RJr. (18-3, 8-2)
149: Greg Gaxiola, RJr. (11-6, 7-3)
157: Beau Colombini (3-7, 1-3) OR Jacob Wright, RSo. (16-3, 6-1)
165: Ricky Padilla, RSr. (11-8, 3-2) OR Adam Kemp, RFr. (9-7, 4-4)
174: Brandon Martino, RSo. (8-3, 4-0) OR Jackson Hemauer, RSo. (9-3, 4-1)
184: Hunter Cruz, RFr. (16-8, 5-4) OR Dominic Kincaid, RSr. (11-5, 1-1)
197: Isaiah Perez, RFr. (8-6, 1-3)
HWT: Josh Hokit, Sr. (13-3, 5-1)
Duke
125: N/A
133: Harrison Campbell, Jr. (0-13, 0-7)
141: Ty Mills, RFr. (3-15, 0-7)
149: Wade Unger, Fr. (9-9, 1-4)
157: Eric Carter, Jr. (3-13, 0-7)
165: N/A
174: Mason Eaglin, RFr. (14-6, 3-4)
184: Kai Blake, Fr. (5-14, 0-7)
197: Vincent Baker, Fr. (4-13, 0-7)
HWT: Jonah Niesenbaum, Fr. (1-10, 0-4)
After facing Duke, the Bulldogs will host No. 16 Iowa State (4-3) on Jan. 31 followed by Air Force (2-2) and CSU Bakersfield (1-3) on Feb. 2.
