SALEM, Ore. -- The Evergreen State College lost to #15 Arizona Christian University and to #16 Corban University during dual matches in men's wrestling on Sunday, Dec. 14 at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. Arizona Christian defeated the Geoducks 51-3 and Corban downed Evergreen 45-3. The Geoducks fell to 0-2 in dual meets this season.
All three teams compete in the Cascade Collegiate Conference and the NAIA in men's wrestling. The Arizona Christian Firestorm and the Corban Warriors were ranked in the NAIA Men's Wrestling Top 25 Poll released on Dec. 11. Evergreen received votes in the poll but was not ranked in the Top 25.
Horacio Godinez (So.) of Evergreen, who entered the weekend ranked #17 in the NAIA individual rankings for the 141-pound weight class, won both of his matches on Sunday. He outlasted Sean Archuleta of Arizona Christian 5-4 and defeated Mason Thynes of Corban 7-2.
In the match against Archuleta, Godinez rallied from a 4-3 deficit after the first period. He earned an escape during the second period to tie the match. In the third period, Archuleta chose the bottom position, but Godinez stayed on top throughout the two minutes. Godinez claimed the point for riding time and took a 5-4 victory.
Godinez brought a 3-2 lead into the third period in his match with Thynes. Godinez extended his lead with an escape and a takedown during the third period for a 7-2 win.
The Firestorm won three matches by forfeit against the Geoducks. ACU also recorded three wins by falls and three wins by technical falls. Godinez achieved Evergreen's lone win versus the Firestorm.
Corban also received three forfeits from Evergreen. One match featured a double forfeit with no entry from either team. The Warriors won four matches by falls. Two matches ended in regular decisions, the win by Godinez over Thynes and a 7-3 win by Gus Menne of Corban against
Hassan Abdi (Jr.) at 165 pounds.
Menne led Abdi 7-0 after the first period on the strength of a takedown and a four-point near fall. Neither wrestler scored during the second period. In the third period, Abdi earned a takedown but was unable to complete the rally.
Evergreen will return to action on Sunday, Jan. 4 at the Mat Cat Open, hosted by Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. PST.
