RESULTS

Atherton, CA – Menlo Men's Wrestling hosted their first home dual meet of the 2024-25 season against newly appointed Cal Poly Humboldt. The Oaks showed dominance the entire dual and closed out the dual with an impressive 38-7 final team score.
 
Freshman Lighting It Up
Elijah Valencia, the freshman from Merced, CA made his first appearance against Caleb Tatad for the Lumberjacks. The star freshman lit up the mat as he took control early with a big 7-point move in the first period. After that, Valencia racked up enough points quick to earn a 22-4 tech fall and give the Oaks a 5-0 to start the dual. The Lumberjacks earned a decision win at 133 and a major decision win at 141 to then take the lead 5-7.
 
Brant Porter also made his Menlo debut at 149. The senior from Hawaii came off a redshirt after winning the NJCAA National Championship in 2023 and did not show any sign of slowing down. Porter went on a takedown clinic and earned himself a technical fall win and gave the Oaks the lead again 10-7. At the 157 weight-class, Ezekial Lara kept Menlo's pace up and earned the Oaks a decision win and gave Menlo a 14-7 lead.
 
 
Second Half of the Dual
In the last half of the dual, John Quinonez bumped up from 157 to fill in for the Oaks at the 165-pound weight division. Quinonez created a huge 7-point move in the first period and held onto his lead all the way to the end of the match, earning an 8-2 decision win. The Oaks then had forfeits at 174 and 184, with the Oaks now leading the dual 29-7. Freshman Diego Morales cracked the lineup at 197 for the Oaks and showed what he is capable of. From the jump, Morales showed why he was one of Coach Martinez's primary recruits as he earned a pinfall by cradle in the second period. Cole Steketee closed out the dual for Menlo at heavyweight, not allowing his opponent a single point and winning 7-0 to give Menlo the 38-7 dual victory! The dual showed that Coach Martinez has no plan of slowing down and wants to show that they belong with the top programs in NCAA Division II.
 
Up Next…
The Oaks will look to showcase even more of their lineup tomorrow as they will host the Menlo Invitational on Nov. 2 at 9AM inside of Haynes-Prim Pavilion once again! Be sure to follow along using the menloathletics.com website for livestream, live stat, and ticket links!