Riverside, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2015) -- California Baptist University's "Take It Outside II" drew 2,082 avid wrestling fans on Nov.14.  The second annual event was held on the CBU Front Lawn, where a temporary wrestling venue was erected to host the match between the NCAA Division II Lancers and D-I opponent California State University, Bakersfield.   

The event also featured Stephen Neal, a two-time D-I individual champion wrestler for the Bakersfield Roadrunners. Neal, who also was a guard for the NFL New England Patriots and was part of three Super Bowl championship teams, signed autographs and posed for photos before the wrestling began. 

Although CBU lost the event 28-12, several Lancer wrestlers won individual matches.

Anthony Racobaldo, a 133-pound wrestler, won in dramatic fashion pinning his opponent in the last second of the match. Brady Bersano, a 149-pound wrestler, won by a score of 10-4. Additionally, in the heavyweight division Joe Fagiano had a narrow 7-6 win.

"You don't get to watch wrestling outdoors every day," said Andrew Carrion, a health science sophomore. "Even though it was hot, it was fun. It was great because all my friends came, too." 

The enthusiasm of the CBU's crowd was evident throughout the event. "I made it [to the event] just in time to see the last match and I'm glad I did. The wrestling was great and the crowd got wild. I could hear the crowd across campus as I arrived," said Nolan Falconieri, a criminal justice sophomore. 

The event also attracted future collegiate grapplers.  

"It is great to come out and see college wrestling," said Julien Rivera, a wrestler for Hillcrest High School in Riverside. "It is different from what I see everyday and I would love to compete at such a competitive level someday."