SAN FRANCISCO — Saturday was an emotional day for the San Francisco State wrestling team. The Gators were on the mat for the team's first mat since teammate
Hamzah Alsaudi went missing after a swimming accident on January 19. In front of the largest crowd of the season, the Gators prevailed 40-9 over visiting Vanguard inside the Main Gym at Don Nasser Family Plaza.
Before the match, with Alsaudi's parents and siblings sitting in the front row, the Gators held a silent moment of hope as the community keeps Hamzah and his family in its thoughts.
Midway through the match, SF State paid tribute to a pair of Gator greats. SF State is proud to introduce the
Allen Abraham Wrestling Scholarship Fund, named after Dr. Allen Abraham, a 1997 inductee into the SF State Athletics Hall of Fame and in 2013 inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Dr. Abraham then recognized SF State Wrestling's newest member of the Athletics Hall of Fame, Naveed Bagheri. Among Bagheri's career highlights included three RMAC titles, four trips to the NCAA Division II Championships, and the 2013 title at 141 pounds.
After the match, the Gators honored their four seniors:
Stefano McKinney,
Josh Tolentino,
Joshua Fuentes Norikiyo, and
Marco Ruffinelli.
The Lions led after a Gators forfeit at 125 lb. At 133 lb.,
Tony Margiotta got SF State on the borad with a 3-2 victory thanks to riding time. The Gators went down 9-3 but it was all SF State from there on out. Fuentes Norikiyo set the tone with a pin in just 1:34. Not to be outdone, Tolentino followed with a pin at 157 lb. in just 37 seconds.
Conrado Trevino-Oceguera scored a major decision and Vanguard forfeited the next two weight classes.
Laith Gilmore picked up where his teammates left off with the team's third pin of the day, this time in 1:38.
Callum Bisping finished the day off with an 8-2 decision.
"Today was a really important dual meet – our first competition since Hamzah Alsaudi went missing. The community at large, as well as our team, came together emotionally to support one another. For that I'm truly grateful. We're holding the Alsaudi family in our hearts," said Head Coach Jason Welch. "We were also able to get a solid win during Senior Day, honor those guys who have given so much the past several years to the Gator squad; and honor alumni Naveed Bagheri and Dr. Allen Abraham. In tough times, our community comes together always to lead with love and passion for our group and shared venture. Our guys made me proud on the mat, but more so I am proud of their connectedness and passion for one another."
SF State now has some time off before heading to Ashland, Oregon for a pair of matches on Saturday, February 4 versus host Southern Oregon and Corban.
