ATHERTON, Calif. — The No. 12 San Francisco State wrestling team dropped its final regular season match of the season, 22-13, at Menlo on Thursday night.
After going undefeated in the month of December and starting January with a first-place finish at the Menlo Open, the Gators have limped through their last seven losses to finish at 7-9 in duals. SF State got back starter
Nathan Cervantez (133 lb.) but remain shorthanded without
Alex Felix (141 lb.) and No. 6
Mason Boutain (149 lb.).
Aaron Perexz opened the match with a solid 8-3 decision over Riley Siason, the No. 6 wrestler in NAIA.
Nathan Cervantez returned to the mat for the first time since suffering an injury on January 10 but suffered a major decision to Blaysen Terukina, ranked No. 5 in NAIA.
Jackson Redhair made his season debut at 141 pounds and earned a 9-6 decision. That built the Gators' lead to 6-4 but with Boutain sidelined the Gators forfeited the 149 lb. bout and fell behind by four. The Gaotrs tied the match at 10-10 thanks to No. 4
Maxamillian Schneider's major decision at 157 lb., then tied it again at 13-13 on
Maleselino Salt's 3-1 decision at 174 lb.
Justin Pichedwatana, the No. 3 wrestler in NCAA Division II at 184 lb., suffered just his second dual loss, 3-1, to Anthony Orozco, who the No. 1 wrestler in his weight class in the NAIA. The Oaks, who are ranked No. 5 in NAIA, took the final two bouts, both by one-point decisions.
The Golden Gators will head to Kearney, Nebraska for the NCAA Division II Super Regionals on Saturday, February 29.
