CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Fresh off its strong showing at the Menlo Invitational on Jan. 2, the 20th-ranked San Francisco State wrestling team kept the momentum rolling Saturday with a pair of victories at the prestigious NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals inside the UNI-Dome on the University of Northern Iowa campus. 

 

The Gators (2-2) suffered a tough 23-9 setback to No. 3 Augustana (S.D.) in the main bracket before rebounding with a 22-12 victory over 14^th-ranked Findlay (OH), followed by a 25-17 triumph over No. 4 Western State (Colo.) in the consolation draw.

 

With the results, SF State will square off against seventh-ranked Central Oklahoma on Sunday at 7 a.m. PT for the right to advance to the fifth-place match.

 

Individually, the Gators were led by Naveed Bagheri (141) and Matt Thomas (149), who each posted undefeated 3-0 records, while Pierre Bondoc (125), Josh Nolan (157) and Zach Jimenez (184) each went 2-1.

 

SF State won three of the first four bouts against Augustana to grab an early 9-3 lead. Bondoc got things rolling with an upset of No. 2 Alex Meger, recording takedowns in the third period and overtime to post a 6-4 sudden victory. Bagheri, ranked fifth in the latest NCAA Division II individual poll at 141, also registered a late takedown to defeat No. 1 Jay Sherer by a 3-1 count, while Thomas engineered a surprise of his own with a 6-5 decision over third-ranked Nate Herda.

 

The Gators were unable to prevent a Viking rally, however, as Augustana came back with victories in the remaining six encounters to account for the final score.

 

The Purple and Gold also started swiftly in their match against Findlay as Bondoc collected his second straight upset with an 11-1 major decision over eighth-ranked Ben Sergent, while Brian Tharp earned a point off riding time to eke out a 2-1 win over Nicholas Weisjahn at 133. Bagheri soon followed with his second victory of the year by fall with a pin of Chad Channel at the 1:23 mark of the first period, while Thomas knocked off another ranked opponent with a 7-5 triumph of No. 4 Jeremy Espinoza, recording two escapes and point of riding time for the winning margin.

 

Leading 16-0 at this juncture, SF State's final point total was provided by Nolan, who earned a 9-6 decision over Adam Walters, and Zach Jimenez, whose third-period reversal and riding time point was the difference in a 3-2 shaving of Ashton Brown.

 

In the ensuing round, the Gators trailed fellow Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe and No. 4 Western State after two bouts, 8-0, before Bagheri provided a spark with a 7-3 triumph over Jesse Cruz. After Thomas and Nolan received forfeits, SF State was suddenly in the lead at 15-8 and quickly added to their advantage by posting victories in the next three matches. Isaiah Jimenez (165) and Gene Choi(174) broke into the win column, while Zach Jimenez emerged triumphant with a 16-4 pasting of John Finkbiner for his first victory by major decision this season. 

 

Leading 25-8, SF State yielded a forfeit at 197 and dropped the heavyweight bout to provide for the final margin.

 

Central Oklahoma, the Gators' first opponent on Sunday, lost to North Carolina-Pembroke 24-13 in the main draw on Saturday, before defeating Limestone (24-9) and Upper Iowa (23-13) in consolation action.

 

125 – Pierre Bondoc (SF State) dec. #2 Alex Meger, 6-4 SV

133 – Jason Jeremiason (A) dec. Brian Tharp, 5-1

141 – #5 Naveed Bagheri (SF State) dec. #1 Jay Sherer, 3-1

149 – Matt Thomas (SF State) dec. #3 Nate Herda, 6-5

157 – #2 Marcus Edington (A) dec. Josh Nolan, 6-2

165 – #7 Gavin Nelson (A) dec. Isaiah Jimenez, 8-1

174 – Carl Serck (A) major dec. Gene Choi, 12-3

184 – Thomas Davies (A) dec. Zach Jimenez, 4-2

197 – #2 Tyler Copsey (A) major dec. Andrew Reggi, 11-1

285 – Lance Peters (A) dec. Anthony Gonzalez, 3-1

 

125 – Pierre Bondoc (SF State) major dec. #8 Ben Sergent, 11-1

133 – Brian Tharp (SF State) dec. Nicholas Weisjahn 2-1

141 - #5 Naveed Bagheri (SF State) pinned Chad Channel, 1:23

149 – Matt Thomas (SF State) dec. #4 Jeremy Espinoza, 7-5

157 – Josh Nolan (SF State) dec. Adam Walters, 9-6

165 – Michael Lybarger (F) dec. Isaiah Jimenez, 3-1

174 – #8 Mason True (F) dec. Gene Choi, 3-1

184 – Zach Jimenez (SF State) dec. Ashton Brown, 3-2

197 – #8 Daniel Stevenson (F) dec. Andrew Reggi, 10-5

285 –Matt Clum (F) dec. Anthony Gonzalez, 5-1

 

125 – Kyle O'Brien (W) tech. fall Pierre Bondoc (SF State), 19-0

133 – Cody Cole (W) dec. Brian Tharp, 4-2

141 – #5 Naveed Bagheri (SF State) dec. Jesse Cruz, 7-3
149 – Matt Thomas (SF State) received forfeit

157 – Josh Nolan (SF State) received forfeit

165 – Isaiah Jimenez (SF State) dec. Cody Frankum, 6-3

174 – Gene Choi (SF State) dec. Jorge Benitez, 9-3

184 – Zach Jimenez (SF State) major dec. John Finkbiner, 16-4

197 – #1 Donovan MacMahill (W) received forfeit