SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco State wrestling team hosted its first dual of the 2022-23 season on Saturday but the Gators fell 28-12 to No. 10 Colorado Mesa in RMAC action.
SF State was at a disadvantage to start after being forced to forfeit at both the 125 and 184-pound weight classes. The Gators have been hit hard by injury at 125 pounds, having lost both
Michael Bigler and
Zach Wright in the last week, though Wright is expected back somewhat soon.
After forfeiting at 125 and suffering a major decision at 133, the Gators looked poised to get on the scoreboard with
Sean Yamasaki on the mat at 141 pounds. He led 4-2 but allowed a late escape and takedown.
Similar to the injury that Wright faced last week in the Menlo Open,
Joshua Fuentes Norikiyo battled through a headbutt that resulted in a deep gash to his forehead that forced him to get attended to by the athletic training staff. That didn't stop the 149-pounder from returning to the mat, albeit bandaged up, to get the Gators on the board with a 6-1 decision before heading out to get stitched up.
Kyle Botelho suffered a close 4-1 loss at 157 pounds. The Gators got three more points from
Boltyn Taam, who worked a 9-6 decision over Kolten Straight at 165 pounds. The Gators dropped their next two weights but the heavier grapplers showed promise of what could be things to come with a pair of gritty victories. At 197 pounds,
Laith Gilmore recorded a second-period escape for a 1-0 advantage though Cash Anderson answered with an escape of his own in the third period that sent the bout to overtime. However, Gilmore overpowered Anderson for a takedown and the sudden victory. SF State heavyweight
Emilio Franco Sandoval trailed 1-0 headed into the third period but scored an escape to tie the bout, then added on with a pair of takedowns and riding time for a 6-2 victory.
Jairo Rivera Vazquez bookended the dual with a pair of extra countable matches at 197 pounds. Rivera Vazquez fell 8-2 to Jason Bynarowicz but staved off Edward Nelson with an escape and a takedown, both in the third period, for a 3-1 win.
"Right now we're really focused on the process and how we are wrestling. To that point, Joshua Fuentes Norikiyo wrestled through a headbutt and gash on his head to get a win and that's exemplary of our team right now" said Head Coach Jason Welch. "Despite wins and losses, we're much better than nine months ago and we're always wrestling tough. I'm proud of the way we're wrestling and that's going to generate results come March."
On Friday, November 18, the Gators host New Mexico Highlands at 4:30 p.m. At the midway point of the dual meet, SF State will hold a shoe retirement ceremony for legendary San Francisco State Wrestling Coach Lars Jensen. Afterwards, SF State will host the Lars Jensen Legacy Dinner honoring Coach's memory beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $50 each.
Stats will be available at
trackwrestling.com and the match will be broadcast on the
RMAC Network. Tickets are available for all 2022 matches, as well as for the Lars Jensen Legacy Dinner, at
sfstategators.com/tickets.
