ATHERTON, CA – RESULTS Menlo Men's Wrestling opened its 2026 tournament campaign by hosting the Menlo Open inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion, marking the first under Head Coach Zeke Andrade. The Oaks welcomed a high-level field featuring NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA and junior college competition, with 17 Menlo wrestlers taking the mat. Devon Wells led the way, capturing an individual championship, while three additional Oaks finished among the top four in their respective weight classes.

 

Menlo Open Highlights

• 17 Oaks competed in the first tournament of the 2026 season.

• Four Menlo wrestlers earned top-four finishes.

• Devon Wells captured an individual championship with a 7-4 decision over San Francisco State.

• Erik Ramirez (133), Evan Ivaldi (174), and Matthew Porras Diamond each fought back to earn spots in the 3rd place match.

• David Arroyo went 4-1 on the day, picking up three victories.

• Six Oaks made their Menlo debuts: Brody Martinez, Cameron Caito, Daniel Mendoza, Jose Limones, Niko Takitani and Tristan Johns.

• The tournament featured NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO competition.

 

Wells Captures Championship

Devon Wells headlined the afternoon for Menlo, putting together an impressive run to claim the individual championship. After recording technical falls against Bakersfield and Westcliff, Wells advanced to the championship match against San Francisco State. In the final, Wells battled back from an early deficit to secure a 7-4 decision and bring home the first individual title of the season for the Oaks.

Three additional Menlo wrestlers earned top-four finishes. Erik Ramirez (133) battled his way to fourth place, collecting victories over Skyline and Westcliff before adding another win in the consolation semifinals. Evan Ivaldi (174) also finished fourth after opening his tournament with a victory over Division I Bakersfield. Following a narrow 9-8 loss to Cal Poly, Ivaldi responded with a pin and a major decision on the backside of the bracket to earn a spot in the third-place match. Matthew Porras Diamond (197) rounded out the top-four finishers, picking up a victory over Westcliff and battling back from an early deficit to earn a 10-8 consolation victory before finishing fourth against Stanford.

 

Oaks Make Their Mark Across the Brackets

Beyond the four placers, several Oaks put together strong performances against the tournament's competitive field. David Arroyo (149) led the remaining group with a 4-1 record, opening with a victory over Skyline before collecting two additional consolation wins, including one over Bakersfield. Atridad Feizi (141) finished 2-2 with victories over an Unattached wrestler and Victor Valley, while Nikita Smatov (165) also went 2-2, earning wins over Victor Valley and San Francisco State. Niko Takitani (157) added two victories of his own, defeating Victor Valley and Division I Bakersfield after opening with a loss to Vanguard. Daniel Arellano (125) picked up a first-round victory over College of the Redwoods, while Giancarlo Plaza (141) opened his tournament with a win over Victor Valley.

The tournament also marked the Menlo debuts of Brody Martinez (157), Cameron Caito (125), Daniel Mendoza (125), Jose Limones (149), Niko Takitani (157) and Tristan Johns (165). Luke Harrison (184) and Roberto "Robbie" Lopez (133) also represented the Oaks, gaining valuable experience against a deep field. Across all 17 competitors, Menlo showcased its depth while getting an early-season look at some of the region's top collegiate programs.

 

Up Next…

Menlo will hit the road for its next competition at the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunner Open in Bakersfield, CA on Sunday, November 22nd. The Oaks will once again face a high-quality Division I field, providing another valuable opportunity to test themselves against top-level competition and earn important points toward the NCAA rankings.