SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State wrestling team wrapped up its 2008-09 home schedule in dramatic fashion on Thursday with a hard-fought 16-15 victory over Menlo College as part of Senior Night festivities in the Main Gymnasium. The Gators won for the eighth time in their last nine dual meets, improving to 9-5 overall, while the Oaks, who entered the match with a No. 8 ranking in the NAIA, fall to 10-7 on the season.

 

Prior to Thursday's meet, which began in the 133-pound weight class, SF State honored its four seniors, Curtis Schurkamp (Escalon, California, Escalon, Cal State Fullerton), Joaquin Carlos (San Jose, California, Archbishop Mitty, Cal State Fullerton), Matt Mungo (Mission Viejo, California, Mission Viejo, Santa Ana College) and Marques Gales (Fairfield, California, Armijo, Santa Rosa).

 

The Gators took two of the first three bouts, as Naveed Bagheri (Los Gatos, California, Los Gatos, West Valley Junior College)recorded an 11-3 major decision over Aaron Garcia at 133, while Carlos won his fourth in row with a solid 6-1 triumph over Lee Morrison at 149, giving SF State an early 7-3 advantage.

 

Menlo claimed the next three matches to grab a 12-7 lead; however, the Gators fought back with a trio of wins of their own, sparked by Gales' 7-4 decision over Gary Nelson at 184, which included a key third-period takedown and escape.

  

With the deficit trimmed to 12-10, Vincent Bordi (Manteca, California, Manteca)came away with a late 3-1 decision over Al Kinslow at 197, recording a takedown in the waning seconds of the third period, which put the Gators back in front by a 13-12 count. Then in the heavyweight class, Steve Franklin (Middletown, California, Middletown, Santa Rosa) gave the home team some breathing room with his sixth straight victory, a 6-1 decision over Nick Berry, making the score 16-12 in favor of SF State.

 

Despite dropping the match at 125, the Gators ceded only three points in the final bout of the evening  to hang on for the win.

 

SF State will close out its regular-season slate on Sunday, Feb. 15, when it travels south to face Division I Cal State Bakersfield in another non-conference dual meet beginning at 2 p.m.