"We are looking for Virgil and Will along with Kenny Packard (So, 157, Fresno, CA/Roosevelt School of the Arts) and Ali Lockett (Jr, 149, San Francisco, CA/Skyline College) to be our leaders this season," said Jensen.
"Our goals for the upcoming season is to be more successful in dual meets and to place in the top four in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)," added Jensen. "We would also like to extend our streak to 44 of sending a wrestler to the NCAA Division II National Championship in Kearney, Nebraska, in March and also have a wrestler earn All-American status for the 51st time in Coach Jensen's career."
Last year, the Gators finished in sixth place in the RMAC and sent Virgil Lockett to the NCAA Nationals in Findlay, Ohio. The senior Lockett finished his first season as a Gator with a 27-13 record. Simmons finished last season with a 7-16 record in his first season in the purple and gold after transferring to SF State from Sac City College.
Packard also is in his second season as a Gator after finishing last season with a 5-6 record. Also returning from last year's team are Jeff Johnson (Jr, 141, Antelope, CA/Center HS) and Jamil Smart (So, 133, Pittsburg, CA/Concord HS).
To assist in the Gators in achieving their goals will be a host of newcomers including Ali Lockett, Austin Torres (Jr, 157, Schererville, IN/Skyline College), David Johnson (Sr, 184, Pocatello, ID/North Idaho College), and Vince Bordi (Fr, 285, Manteca, CA/Manteca HS).
Other newcomers on this year's team that will be competing to crack into SF State's line-up are Randy Aguirre (Jr, Covina, CA/Mt. San Antonio College), Pierre Bondoc (Fr, 125, Modesto, CA/Beyer HS), Cory Creighton ( Fr, 184, Carson, WA/Stevenson HS), Josh Gonzalez (Fr, 174, Dixon, CA/Dixon HS), Alecxis Lara (Jr, 184, Gilroy, CA/Skyline College), Brian Loper (Jr, 157, Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara HS), Ben Lockett (Fr, 133, San Francisco, CA/George Washington HS), Tom McFadden (Jr, 149, Walnut Creek, CA/Diablo Valley College), Dwight Middleton (Jr, 174, Los Angeles, CA/East LA College), Mike O'Brien (Jr, 174, Stockton, CA/San Joaquin Delta College), Brian Tharp (Fr, 125, San Clemente, CA), and Alexander Trueblood (Fr, 197, Vista, CA) along with Nelson Um (So, 133, Oakland, CA).
Of the teams that Coach Jensen will look to contend for the RMAC title this season are Nebraska-Kearney, Western State, and Adams State.
SF State will begin its regular season on Saturday, November 18 when they travel to Golden, Colorado, to participate in the John Hancock Duals on the campus of Colorado School of Mines. The Gators will face Montana State-Northern and RMAC powerhouse Western State in the first round of the Duals. Their home opener will be on Friday, December 8 against rival UC Davis at 7pm. This will be one of four home duals for the Gators which will also host the Annual California Collegiates on Saturday, February 3.
The NCAA Division II West Regional/RMAC Championships are set for Sunday, February 26 in Golden, Colorado, with the Nationals set for two weeks later on March 9-10 in Kearney, Nebraska.
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