ARCATA, Calif. — The Cal Poly Humboldt wrestling team faced a stiff test Friday night, falling 44-0 to a strong Menlo College squad in a MPSF dual at Lumberjack Arena. With several Lumberjack regulars sidelined due to illness or injury, the dual provided a valuable opportunity for Humboldt's younger and less-experienced wrestlers to gain mat time against one of the top programs in the region.
Menlo opened the dual with back-to-back falls at 125 and 133 pounds, as Erik Ramirez and Atridad Feizi secured bonus-point victories for the Oaks. Humboldt responded with grit through the middle of the lineup, including a hard-fought effort from Darrell Nanpuya at 141 pounds, who battled through a full seven minutes before dropping an 8-1 decision to Michael Torres.
At 149 pounds, Gil Mossburg showed resilience against Tyger Taam, while Sam Weinberg faced a tough challenge at 157, falling by major decision. The Oaks continued to capitalize on bonus points in the upper-middle weights, earning technical falls at 165 and 174.
One of the closest matches of the night came at 184 pounds, where Eric Ruiz pushed Mathias Collins to the final whistle before narrowly falling, 4-3. Ruiz's performance highlighted the competitive growth of Humboldt's lineup, particularly among wrestlers stepping into expanded roles.
The dual concluded with contests at 197 and heavyweight, where Vinicius Tome and Preston Dixon each gained valuable experience against seasoned Menlo opponents.
Despite the final score, the dual served as an important developmental moment for the Lumberjacks as they continue to navigate roster challenges and prepare for the remainder of the season.
Cal Poly Humboldt will look to build on the experience gained Friday night as they return to action later this month, aiming to get healthier and continue developing depth across the lineup.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt wrestling, visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app on Apple iOS or Google Android, and follow the Lumberjacks on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook.
Instagram: @humboldt.athletics
Twitter/X: @HumboldtJacks
Facebook: Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks
