ATHERTON, CA – The Menlo College NCWA Men's Wrestling program is heading into the 2025-26 season with serious momentum with returning multiple national qualifiers and All-Americans and adding high-caliber transfers to the lineup.
 
Returners Leading the Way 
Leading the group of returners are two of the program's first-ever NCWA All-Americans are sophomores Julian Sanchez and Giancarlo Plaza. Both wrestlers made history last season with Sanchez placing 5^th at 125lbs and Plaza also placing 5^th at 133lbs and the duo seems more than ready to push even farther this season.

They're joined by juniors Matthew Porras Diamond and JT Nishikawa, who each qualified for the NCWA National Tournament and bring veteran experience back into the lineup. Both Diamond and Nishikawa showed promise at last season's nationals, with both wrestlers fighting deep in their respective weight classes.
 
Promising Newcomers
Head Coach Cristian Vasquez has been busy this offseason with recruiting, bringing in a ton of promising new talent. Daniel Arrellano, a junior transfer from Sacramento City joins the Oaks after placing at the CCCAA State Tournament at 125 pounds.

Two freshmen also are aiming to make some noise this season with Carson Gonzalez from Murrieta Valley High School, and Drayden Gaither from Moses Lake High School in Washington. Both wrestlers bring strop resumes and high potential to the lineup.
 
Schedule Highlights
As the new season comes underway this Friday, October 31, the Oaks will host their first competition in a dual against Victor Valley inside of Haynes-Prim Pavilion at 5:00PM. The next big tournament the team will take part in is the Bill Musick Memorial on November 8. Menlo will host the Oaks Open on February 7 before heading to Sacramento for the California State Tournament on February 28. Postseason action will then begin with the Oaks hosting the NCWA West Coast Conference Championships on March 14. Finally, the wrestlers who qualify will advance to the NCWA National Championship from March 25-28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. With proven returners and newcomers in the lineup, the Oaks are aiming for what is sure to be another historic season coming up soon.