As SF State's contemporary wrestlers graced the Gator gym to take on their predecessors in the annual alumni match last week, only one person would emerge lucky on Friday the 13th.

"I can't lose," exclaimed Lars Jensen, head wrestling coach, before the match. "I'm an alumni and I coach these (current) guys, so I'm in a win-win situation."

Jensen did prevail, as his present crop of wrestlers "beat" the alumni team 39-10, earning seven of the 10 scheduled matches. Four of those seven wins, however, were won by forfeit due to a shortage of alumni competitors.

Advertised as a fun event, the meet commenced with lanky, 5-foot-10-inch freshman Julian Perez dominating 1992 alumnus Mark Zonligt in the 125-pound category. Perez was in total control as he outmaneuvered and outmuscled the rapidly tiring Zonligt, gaining the pin with 18 seconds left in the match.

"I was pretty nervous. I saw the guy, I was like 'Oh s---,'" Perez said. "I knew he was going to go for all or nothing. I feel like I'm getting back into it."

In the 133-pound match, All-American alumnus Donald Lockett, SF State's all-time leader in takedowns with 483, earned an 18-4 major decision over senior Jamil Smart. The battle started with Smart evading the elder Lockett's takedowns. But as the match progressed, the wily veteran began to take over capitalizing on the young wrestler's mistakes. After the first period, Lockett had a commanding 7-1 lead. By the end of the second, the cool-headed Lockett had extended his lead to 14-4. Entering the final stanza, Lockett's expression was one of total relaxation, as he notched a few more points, securing his win.

In the third match of the night, 141-pounders Ben and Ali Lockett decided to keep it in the family as they went head-to-head. Despite terrific fatigue and being the recipient of a huge slam, it was older brother Ali who escaped with a narrow 6-4 decision. Entering the third period, Ali had a 5-0 lead on Ben, but was gassing fast. Ali was in survival mode as Ben hunted for a final opportunity to end the match. Ben nearly got the finish when he slammed Ali in the final seconds, but the brutal maneuver wasn't enough to secure the win.

"This was the first time I felt I could beat him," said younger brother Ben, who refused to shake Ali's hand before the match, attempting to play mind games. "When I got that slam, I knew what the score was. I hoped to knock him unconscious ... regardless if he was my brother or not. He was kind of mad when I didn't shake his hand. I was trying to play mind games. But he stayed smart. He executed his game plan, I didn't execute mine. He's going to have that on me all year. No matter how successful I am."

"I didn't know if I was wrestling today. I was like, 'OK, this will be fun,'" Ali responded. "But it was kind of serious. The last seconds of the match, (Ben) slammed me really hard. I was knocked out for a bit. I remembered I was on the floor. And I was happy it wasn't a tie, because I didn't want the match to go into overtime. I was really tired."

The next 149-pound bout featured alumnus Joaquin Carlos notching his typical nothing-fancy-style 7-4 decision win over Kyle Cooper. A senior wrestler last season, Carlos for the most part controlled Cooper, racking up points bit-by-bit. The win didn't come easily, however, as the tiring Carlos had blood smeared on his face for much of the third round.

"I took a shot, my whole face ran into his knee. It happens," Carlos said. "I'm a bleeder. "I did pretty much the same thing. Get the first couple of points and ride him out. Just in case I got tired -- and I did."

The next match featured 157-pound freshman Isaiah Jimenez pinning Eric Fitzpatrick in the opening chapter of the match. Jimenez sidelined his nerves and achieved two takedowns before earning the pin.

"I had the first-match-of-the-season jitters," Jimenez said. "When I felt I had that arm bar ... I clamped it."

In a defensive battle, 174-pound junior Markham Bertron earned a narrow 4-3 decision over last year Gator and national qualifier Marques Gales.

The final match of the night was solely for kicks, as heavyweight All-American Steve Franklin and Vince Bordi continuously exchanged takedowns, reversals and escapes. Both participants were the recipients of forfeits, and thus decided to wrestle each other. Franklin got the nod, 20-17.

The two Zachs on the team -- 184-pound Zach Jimenez and 165-pound Zach Sesar -- both won their matches by forfeit, as they had no alumni to wrestle.

"This was kind of a dress rehearsal," Jensen said. "Just a fun event. We get to raise money, tell stories and jokes."

The Gators return to the mat on Nov. 21 when they compete at the Cal State Fullerton open.