#5 OAKS FINISH PERFECT SEASON, EARN FIRST EVER WIN IN ATHERTON OVER SF STATE
ATHERTON, Calif. – It was a night of lasts and a night of firsts for #5 Menlo College Men's Wrestling on Thursday night inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion. It was Senior Night, marking the final home dual for six Menlo wrestlers and it was also a chance for the Oaks to record a perfect record for the first time in program history. Not only did they put the stamp on the perfect season, they also tallied another first, marking the first time in program history Menlo has defeated San Francisco State inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion. They conclude the dual season a perfect 9-0.
Terukina Turnaround
San Francisco State came out of the gate hot with Aaron Perez pulling off the upset over #6 Riley Siason at 125 pounds to give the Gators an early 3-0 lead. The lead would not last for long as junior Blaysen Terukina came out and pushed the tempo early, dominating Nathan Cervantez to the tune of a 15-4 tech fall victory to get the Oaks back on top, 4-3. Jacob Mendoza was once again wrestling up a weight class and it looked like the size differential was going to be an issue early as Jackson Redhair nearly pinned Mendoza early. Mendoza weathered the storm and applied the pressure to Redhair, nearly pulling off the win, but ultimately dropping a 6-4 decision.
Forfeit at Forty-Nine
In what was a highly-anticipated match up of the NAIA's #9 Joseph Dominguez and the NCAA Div. II's #6 Mason Boutain, it proved to be a match turning forfeit for the Gators. Dominguez picked up the win via forfeit, giving the Oaks a 10-6 advantage.
Upper Weight Success
The score was tied 10-10 heading into the upper weight classes. The Oaks won four of the next five matches to seal the deal, starting with a big 7-3 decision victory for #11 Alex Garcia at 165 lbs. The Gators earned their final win of the night, a 3-1 decision at 174 to set the stage for an absolute thriller between two foes, #1 Anthony Orozco and #3 Justin Pichedwatana. The match was as back-and-forth as anticipated but Orozco powered his way to a massive take down with under a minute remaining in the third and controlled the rest of the match to pick up the 3-1 win in front of a raucous crowd. Afton Silvis gave the Oaks just what they needed to ride the Orozco momentum. The freshman grinded his way to a big 3-2 decision to set the stage for senior Jeremiah Holbrook at 285.
Holbrook Seals It
Coming off a knee injury last season, Holbrook was wrestling in his first dual of the 2019-20 campaign. The senior ended his dual career at Menlo with a memorable one. After falling behind early, he battled his way back to tie it. A huge take down late in the third gave him the late lead which he held on to, giving the crowd a jolt and leading the Oaks to a perfect season.
Up Next
The Oaks shift out of the dual mindset as they set their sights on the 2020 Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament. IT will be hosted by Menlo College on Feb. 21-22 inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion.
NAIA #5 MENLO 22, NCAA #12 SF State 13
125 – Aaron Perez (SFSU) dec. #6 Riley Siason (MC)8-3, 3-0
133- #5 Blaysen Terukina (MC) maj dec. Nathan Cervantez (SFSU) 15-4, 3-4
141 – Jackson Redhair (SFSU) dec. Jacob Mendoza (MC) 9-6, 6-4
149 - #9 Joseph Dominguez (MC) wbf 6-10
157 –#4 Maximillian Schneider (SFSU) maj dec. Devin Everk (MC)13-4, 10-10
165 - #11 Alex Garcia (MC) dec. Elias Rosales (SFSU) 7-3, 10-13
174 –Maleselino Salt (SFSU)dec. Jordan Bernal (MC) 3-1, 13-13
184 - #1 Anthony Orozco (MC) dec. #3 Justin Pichedwatana (SFSU) 3-1, 13-16
197 – #19 Afton Silvis (MC) dec. Andrew Herrera (SFSU)3-2, 13-19
285 – Jeremiah Holbrook (MC)dec Justin Ramos (SFSU)9-8, 13-22