Rancho Buena Vista alum Bernie Truax Qualifies for NCAA Wrestling

Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 6 at 184, met No. 5 Isaiah Salazar of Minnesota in the 184 final. Truax and Salazar set up shop in the middle of the mat as the bout got underway. Truax worked to control position in the center, taking a high single that Salazar defended at 1:45. Action continued through the 1:00 mark in neutral with Truax the aggressor. The bout moved to the second period tied 0-0. Truax chose down to start the period and escaped to a 1-0 lead at 1:20. The clock moved below the :30 mark with both wrestlers working for control in the center of the mat. Salazar worked his way in on a high shot late, but Truax defended the effort and led 1-0 after two. Salazar chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. Truax shot low, quickly, but Salazar was able to slip out of his gras at 1:10. The duo traded quick bursts through the 1:00 mark and returned to their feet with :50 left in the bout. Salazar took a high shot again and Truax muscled through a counter as the clock moved below the :10 mark. The clock hit :00 and the bout moved to extra time. Truax nearly connected on a counter at 1:40, another shot at 1:35 and a third at 1:20. But Salazar countered the last shot and was able to notch the takedown. Truax gave up back points working to get free and lost the hard-fought 8-1 (sv) decision.