New talent boosts team

After 13 years at the helm of the SF State wrestling squad, Lars Jensen knows all too well the illusory nature of preseason rankings. That's why the coach loses little sleep over the Gator's No. 14 national ranking in Division II in the early going this year, even after ending 1995, No. 8 in the nation with three All-Americans.

"No respect I tell ya," Jensen says with a hint of Dangerfield. "But who really cares. It's not the (preseason) rankings that are going to decide our season for us."

That responsibility will fall on the Gator grapplers themselves, who -- although unproven as a group -- look like an outstanding package of talent on paper.

"We have a good nucleus of returners and this is probably the best recruiting year we've had ... ever," Jensen said.

Not light words from a man expected to secure the top talents on the West Coast year in and year out. Being the only Division II wrestling program left in California, and one of two on the West Coast (Portland State is the other), Jensen has made a business of scooping up high school All-Americans who, for one reason or another, didn't fit in at the Division I level.

This year was no exception, as Jensen was able to secure one blue chipper to accompany the rest of a solid recruiting class. Former Vacaville High star Steve Hilas spent two years on full scholarship at Oregon State before deciding he'd had enough of the great Northwest and of the Beavers' coaching staff.

"I used to coach in Vacaville and he wrestled for our rival school there," Jensen said. "He's an outstanding wrestler and should really help this team a lot."

Hilas, who wrestles at 142 pounds, wasted no time in showing off his D-I skills for the Gators. He took second two weekends ago at the Fullerton Invitational, which included such top-notch Division I schools as Arizona State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Davis, Stanford and Cal State Bakersfield.

But Hilas wasn't the only Gator to post impressive results. Junior transfers Chris Delgado (177) and Richard Gutierrez (134) took third and fifth, respectively, and returning junior Lee Lofton took fifth at 190.

Delgado, a transfer from Gavilan JC, took sixth in the junior college championships a year ago. Gutierrez was also a highly-regarded grappler at the JC level during his two years at West Valley College in Saratoga.

Lofton -- although a good wrestler in his own right -- earned his claim-to-fame in another SF State sport. Check that: a former SF State sport. Barring an unforeseen reinstitution, Lofton will go down as the last Gator ever to catch a football for SF State.

The Gators will be without all three All-Americans from last year. John Giuffre and Polo Orneles graduated and Francis Aquino is using a redshirt year to concentrate on school. But even with just two seniors returning to the squad, SF State looks to be solid top to bottom once again. Here's a look by weight:

-118- Travis Phippen, a.k.a. "Kansas," transfers in after a successful showing at the JC tournament a year ago.

-126- Five Gators will duel for time here, led by redshirt junior Carlos Sumolong, who returns from shoulder surgery and will serve as co-captain.

-134- Gutierrez looks strong, but will be challenged by junior transfer Brian Frye from Arizona's Adams State.

-142- Hilas has not disappointed and should be among the best.

-150- Freshman David Hennig placed sixth in the state meet at Placerville High School a year ago. Senior Courtney Kellogg will challenge pending eligibility questions.

-158- Freshman Jeremy Bragg has been a pleasant surprise. Jensen refers to him simply as "a goer."

-167- Delgado has dropped down from 177 and looks to be a solid competitor there.

-177- Newcomer Dave Crumpler has been working hard and should be solid, Jensen says.

-190- Lofton lost in sudden-death overtime in the regionals last year to the eventual national runner-up. Jensen thinks that was a good indication of his toughness.

-Hwt- Phil Zimolzak is called "clutch" by his teammates for his ability to pull out dual-meet victories by staying off his back in crunchtime.

The Gators travel to Stanford today for their first dual meet of the season.

"We're really even on paper, but you just never know," Jensen said.

That would seem to be the best prognosis for the season at this point as well.

"We had a great recruiting year, but it's just hard to say right now," the coach said. "Our goal right now, like every year, is to get to the Regionals, which this year are in Kansas. Then we'll take it from there."

[ Golden Gater Online November 21, 1995 ]

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