NCAA Wrestling: Daton Fix wins first tournament over two conference finalists
/Charles Page High School Class of 2017 graduate and Oklahoma State University freshman Daton Fix won his first collegiate title last month at the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions.
After going undefeated for four-straight State Titles in high school, Fix is off to a great start in his college career with a 5-0 record. Despite being the number-one recruit in the country, Fix took a redshirt his freshman year, leaving the 125-pound spot to All-American No. 8 ranked Nick Piccininni. However, he was able to wrestle unattached at the RTOC.
In the first round he scored an 18-2 technical fall against Highline College sophomore Jacob Mendoza in 2:45, then followed it up with a 17-2 tech against Eastern Oregon sophomore Caballa Mhar in 4:24. In the quarterfinals Fix majored Wyoming sophomore Drake Foster 19-5 with seven takedowns, giving up only escape points.
The semifinals were a close one as Fix went head to head with two-time Pac 12 finalist Ronnie Bresser of Oregon State. Neither scored on offense, remaining neutral throughout the first period. Fix escaped 27 seconds into the second, Bresser escaped with 28 seconds left in the third, and Fix was awarded the win on riding time.
In the finals the young Sandite went up against ACC-finalist No. 3 ranked Sean Fausz from North Carolina State. The two stayed neutral through the first period but Fausz escaped twelve seconds into the second. Fix elected to start the third period neutral and scored a takedown with ten seconds left for the 2-1 decision.
The Cowboys are currently ranked fifth in the country by the NCAA and hold an 8-1 dual record. They will return to action Saturday in a home non-conference dual against undefeated No. 3 Missouri (15-0).