Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Grand Canyon

This one still hits close to home as two of their top recruits are still wrestling in college today.  Cory Crooks who was going to be an antelope will be a senior this up coming season for Arizona State.  Danny Vega who also originally planned to be an antelope spent two season with Iowa State before transferring to South Dakota State. He too will be a senior in the 2020-2021 season.  

As have been most discontinuations in our sport, the elimination of wrestling at Grand Canyon University made little to no sense.  The program had only been around for nine seasons but within that short period of time had more than established itself as a NCAA Division II powerhouse.  The Antelopes finished in seventh place in 2011 & in third place in 2012 at the national tournament. 

As it was announced that the school would soon be moving to NCAA Division I status, collegiate wrestling fans looked forward to some in state competition for the Sun Devils but it was not to be.  Without given reason wrestling was shown the way out after the 2015-2016 season.   

Victor Carazo
165, 174 lbs 

With talent like Victor Carazo a CCCAA champion for Modesto College, it didn't take long for the Antelopes to find their place in NCAA Division II wrestling.  Carazo placed fourth in 2010 & third in 2011 before capping his career off with a national championship in 2012. 

Todd Wilcox
133 lbs 

Todd Wilcox took fifth in the state of California before beginning his collegiate career at Sierra where he wrestled in the NJCAA.  Competing for the Antelopes he won the 2011 NCAA Division II championship. 

Ryan Becerra
184 lbs 

A two time Arizona high school state champion Becerra originally started his career at Cal State Bakersfield before transferring to Grand Canyon.  He placed seventh at the 2011 NCAA Division II tournament. 


  

Eli Arizmendez
197 lbs 

Arizmendez took fifth at the NCAA Division II championships in 2011. 

Kyle McCrite
125 lbs 

A two time Washington high school state champion for Lakeland, McCrite began his career in the NJCAA competing for North Idaho where he had back to back sixth place finishes at the national tournament.  Competing for the antelopes, McCrite won the NCAA Division II crown in 2012. 

Bobby Ward

Ward was a four time state qualifier in high school, who originally began his career at Nassau Community college competing in the NJCAA.  He then transferred to North Carolina State where he qualified for the NCAA Division I tournament.  For his final season he transferred to Grand Canyon where he took third at the 2012 NCAA Division II championships.

Cecil Bell 
197 lbs 

Bell began his career in the NJCAA competing for North Idaho where he took third in 2009 & made the finals in 2010.  Transferring to Grand Canyon, Bell placed eighth at the 2012 NCAA Division II championships. 

Tyrell Fortune
HWT

MMA star Tyrell Fortune wrestled for Grand Canyon.  A two time Oregon high school state champion for Lakeridge, he began his collegiate career at Clackamas Community College where he made NJCAA All American two years running.   

Transferring to Grand Canyon,  Fortune won an NCAA Division II title for the Antelopes in 2013.