Cal Poly wrestling surged to an emphatic 33-7 victory over Michigan State in their home opener at the Mott Athletics Center on Friday.
Dominating the mat with five bonus-point wins, the Mustangs secured 27 total takedowns in front of a capacity crowd of 2,184 spectators.
- Momentum Play: Anthony Berg (157 lbs) remains undefeated at 5-0; his eight-takedown technical fall performance cements his status as a must-roster asset in tournament-style fantasy formats.
- Ranking Volatility: Levi Bussey’s (197 lbs) victory over No. 21 Kael Wisler is likely to rise in the next rankings, making him a high-upside value play for upcoming duals.
- Depth Chart Stability: With true freshmen Arno Vandanyan and Joshua Requena securing gritty decisions, Cal Poly’s lower-weight roster depth is demonstrated, reducing the likelihood of mid-season lineup shuffling.
The dual began with a statement from reigning Pac-12 champion Koda Holeman. The 125-pounder, currently ranked 17th nationally, dismantled Drew Hansen with a 20-5 technical fall. Holeman’s aggression—recording five takedowns—set the tactical tempo for the evening, forcing Michigan State into a defensive posture early.
Following this, the Mustangs used their developmental pipeline, as freshmen Arno Vandanyan and Joshua Requena held their ground in tight bouts at 133 and 141 pounds, respectively.
After a minor setback at 149 pounds, Cal Poly rattled off five consecutive victories. Anthony Berg’s performance against No. 29 Darius Marines was particularly clinical. Despite an early 3-1 deficit, Berg utilized superior conditioning to overwhelm Marines, tallying six of his eight takedowns in the final frame to finalize a 26-10 technical fall.
Jagger French provided the highlight of the night at 165 pounds, securing a fall at the 4:14 mark against Jack Conley. This pin, preceded by a 4-point near fall, showcased the tactical efficiency of the Mustangs.
The momentum continued with Cash Stewart’s 10-2 major decision at 174 pounds, followed by a masterful 19-3 technical fall from No. 24 Ceasar Garza at 184 pounds. Garza’s performance, marked by five takedowns and a 4-point near fall, effectively neutralized any chance of a Spartan comeback.
| Weight Class | Cal Poly Wrestler | Result | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | Koda Holeman | TF 20-5 | Drew Hansen |
| 157 | Anthony Berg | TF 26-10 | Darius Marines |
| 165 | Jagger French | Fall 4:14 | Jack Conley |
| 184 | Ceasar Garza | TF 19-3 | Gavin Craner |
The 26-point margin of victory is the program’s largest dual-meet spread since their 32-3 win over Cal Baptist in February 2024. The tactical discipline displayed—specifically the ability to accumulate riding time and bonus points—indicates a squad capable of competing at the highest tier of the conference.
Despite the overall success, the coaching staff will likely address the discipline issue that resulted in a -1 penalty for throwing headgear.
After the successful home opener, the focus shifts to the Roadrunner Open. Cal Poly is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, Nov. 22, when the squad travels to Bakersfield.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
