Gomez advances to semi-finals at NCAA Championships

Top-seeded Gomez will face No. 5 seed Andrew Hochstrasser of Boise State

ST. LOUIS, Mo., 03/20/09 - Franklin Gomez defeated No. 9 seed Lou Ruggirello of Hofstra, 6-4, in the 133-pound quarter-final round of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on Friday (March 20) to advance to Friday night's semi-final match.

In consolation action, 174-pounder Ian Hinton fell to No. 6 seed Steve Anceravage of Cornell by major decision, 10-2. With the loss, Hinton is eliminated from competition.

Gomez jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on Ruggirello, recording his first takedown 15 seconds into the match. After Ruggirello escaped 10 seconds later, the two remained neutral for the rest of the period. Ruggirello racked up close to two minutes of riding advantage in the second period, but neither wrestler was able to score.

Gomez notched a reversal 13 seconds into the final period to boost his lead to 4-1. Ruggirello recorded his second escape and Gomez followed with his second takedown seconds later to give him the 6-2 lead. Another Ruggirello escape and a point from riding advantage left the final score at 6-4.

Gomez, now 25-2 this season, draws No. 5 seed Andrew Hochstrasser of Boise State in the semifinals. Hochstrasser defeated No. 4 seed Daniel Dennis of Iowa, who handed Gomez one of his two losses this season, in the quarterfinals. This will be the first meeting between Gomez and Hochstrasser.

In Hinton's wrestleback match, the redshirt freshman struck first, scoring a takedown seven seconds into the match. After Anceravage escaped 20 seconds later, he racked up a takedown and three near fall points to close out the first period at 6-2. Anceravage rode the second period out, giving him over two minutes of riding advantage. An escape and a takedown by Anceravage in the third sealed the major decision win.

Gomez will compete in the semi-finals tonight at 7 p.m. All semi-final matches will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN360.com.