Boltyn Taam scores a takedown en route to a major decision in Friday's win over NMHU.
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco State wrestling team earned its first dual win of the season on Friday evening, 23-15, over New Mexico Highlands.
Dozens of alumni returned to the Main Gym at Don Nasser Family Plaza for the shoe retirement of legendary Coach
Lars Jensen. Coach Jensen passed away in 2020 but a celebration of his life was delayed due to the pandemic. The program held a shoe retirement ceremony between the 157 and 165 lb. bouts. Jensen's son Brendan and daughter Lara placed the shoes at the center of the match as his wife Chanda, who also works for the University, looked on. After the match, alumni, friends, and family gathered in Jack Adams Hall for the Lars Jensen Legacy Dinner.
The Lars Jensen Scholarship Endowment exclusively supports SF State wrestlers. The scholarship honors Coach Lars Jensen in perpetuity for his lifetime of service and leadership at San Francisco State University. Those wishing to donate to the Lars Jensen Scholarship Endowment can do so at
sfstategators.com/jensen.
The Gators improve to 1-1 in duals and RMAC action while the Cowboys drop to 1-4.Despite forfeiting at 125 pounds, the Gators showed the depth of their roster on Friday night. SF State put four new wrestlers in the dual lineup, plus Jack Clark in an extra countable match at 197 pounds.
Tony Margiotta got the Gators on the board with a major decision and
Basil Othman, slotted in at 149 lb. after
Joshua Fuentes Norikiyo was sidelined with stitches after last week's dual, made a huge impact. The sophomore scored a fall at 149 lb. over Deklyn Miller to put the Gators up 10-9.
Marco Ruffinelli jumped out to an early lead versus Evan Killgore at 157 pounds but was outscored 7-1 in the third period as the Cowboys regained the lead, 12-10.
Boltyn Taam answered with a major decision that put the Gators up for good, 14-12. From there,
Gage Mettler and true freshman
Gavin Funk scored decisions, with Funk earning his first win in a Gators singlet. Heavyweight
Emilio Franco Sandoval closed the match out with a takedown in overtime for another decision.
"I was really happy with the win today, especially seeing all of our guys battling hard up and down the lineup. Shoutout to Gavin Funk for getting his first collegiate win." said Head Coach Jason Welch. "This was also a really emotional night for our community as we honored Coach Lars Jensen. We had touching shoe retirement ceremony and now we're headed over to dinner to celebrate him and honor his legacy."
On Sunday, November 20, the Gators compete in the Roadrunner Open hosted by Cal State Bakersfield. Stats will be available at
trackwrestling.com.
