SAN FRANCISCO  Mountaineer wrestling rallied for its first win of the day, stormed out in front in its second win, then surrendered a lead in its third dual Saturday at San Francisco State University.

Western rallied from 11-0 and 14-5 deficits against Vanguard (Calif.) University to defeat the Lions 23-20 in its first match, then won the opening five weights against the host Gators before finishing off a 27-13 victory.

The Mountaineers led 19-3 after five weights in their finale against Menlo (Calif.) College, but weren't able to hold onto the lead in a 25-19 defeat.

Isaac Chavarria started the rally in the Vanguard dual, earning an 18-3 technical fall to get Western onto the scoresheet. The Lions won at 149 but Vincent Cabral regained momentum for the squad at 157 with an 11-1 major decision, followed by a second-period pin by Jacob Blandford at 165.

Hunter Richardson at 184 and Sage Harrison at 197 added a decision and a tech fall, respectively, for Western's final points in the come-from-behind win.

The dual against the Gators started with Roberto Estrada's third-period pin at 125, followed by decisions by Devin Gomez (133), Chavarria (141), Eyan Chavez (149) and Cabral (157) for a commanding 18-0 lead.

The Gators took the next two weights but a Richardson pin at 184 and a Harrison decision at 197 iced the victory for Western.

The dual against Menlo – last year's National Wrestling Coaches Association Tournament champions – started well, with a pin by Estrada at 125 and a tech fall by Gomez at 133.

A loss at 141 didn't look damaging, especially after both Chavez at 149 and Cabral at 157 earned majors for a 19-3 lead. However, Menlo took the final five weights, three by bonus point wins, to rally for the 25-19 win over the Mountaineers.

NEXT UP
Western's reserves and redshirts will be competing Sunday at the Colorado School of Mines Rookie Open in Golden, Colo.

The varsity will next compete at the University of Nebraska Kearney Younes Hospitality Open on Nov. 22.