BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---
Naveed Bagheri took home the 141 National Collegiate Athletic Association Div. II Championship Title after defeating two opponents in the final round of matches.
Isaiah Jimenez finished the day 1-2 to take the fifth place spot on the podium in the 165 weight class. Both Bagheri and Jimenez earned All-American status with their top eight finishes as they each conclude their senior seasons.
Bagheri opened the day with a 14-10 decision over Matt Nelson of St. Cloud State to move into the final match. In the first period alone, Bagheri picked up two two-point takedowns and a pair of three-point near falls, but Nelso evaded the pin. Baheri added a two-point reversal in the second period and held on to the 14-10 win to challenge for the national title.
For the 141 championship, Bagheri faced a familiar foe in Ryan Fillingame of Adams State. Earlier this season, Fillingame beat Bagheri 7-3, but Bagheri avenged the loss in a 15-7 major decision win at the NCAA Super Region IV/Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship Meet. The two grapplers battled to take control of the championship round, but Fillingame grabbed an early two-point takedown. Bagheri quickly escaped his grasp, however, to only trail 2-1 after the first period. Bagheri chose the bottom position in the second and picked up another escape to tie the bout at 2-2. The pair continued to battle in the third, sending the match into extra time.
The championship came down to a final overtime period where Bagheri grabbed an escape and a two-point takedown to win the title 5-2. Bagheri concludes his senior season with a 29-5 record and his third All-American honor.
"Naveed wrestled his best when it counted at the NCAA championships," said head coach
Lars Jensen. "He is one of the all-time best wrestlers at SF State and it is great that he ends his career as a national champion."
Jimenez started the day taking on undefeated and the top-ranked 165 wrestler Joey Davis of Notre Dame (Ohio). Davis, who eventually won the title at 165, when on to take the semifinal match, sending Jimenez to the consolation bracket. Jimenez faced Chris Watson in the consolation semifinals, hoping to advance to the third place match, but dropped the bout in a tight 2-1 result. Each grappler grabbed an escape, but riding time lifted Watson over Jimenez to force the Gator to compete for fifth.
In his final collegiate match, Jimenez fell behind 2-0 to Blake Ridenour (Newberry College) in the first period but grabbed a takedown in the second to trail 3-2 heading into the third and final period. Jimenez finished the set with a two-point takedown and a three-point near fall to claim fifth with his 7-4 victory. Jimenez finishes his season with a 24-9 record and his first All-American recognition.
"Isaiah had to wrestle five ranked wrestlers and won three of them," said Jensen. "He won at the right time and ended his career with a win. He really earned his All-American honor."
As a team, SF State finishes the 2012-13 season with a 10th place finish after tallying Bagheri and Jimenez's results together.
