Oftentimes in the realm of athletics, thunderous applause and cheers are viewed as the ultimate form of admiration.

But when mourning the death of an all-time great, the simple respectful action of silence can roar louder than any ovation.

Silence filled the Gator gym on Nov. 14 as SF State's wrestling community paid their final respects to All-American wrestler and SF State Alumnus Eustacio Torres, who on July 19 was shot to death in his San Diego Home. He was 41.

"I feel he's here with us," Rafaela, Eustacio's mother, said as she walked the hallways of the main gymnasium. "He loved this sport so much."

Silvia Torres-Limon, Eustacio's sister, accompanied her mother. "His spirit is here," Silvia said.

The alumni match was dedicated to Torres' memory and the legacy he left at SF State. Wrestling as a Gator between 1988-89 and 1990-92, Torres earned the title of All-American when during his senior year, he placed fourth in the 158-pound weight class at the 1992 Division II National Championships. His name is cemented in Gator record books, as he still ranks second in escapes with 187, fourth in total points with 942, fifth in takedowns with 290 and fifth in wins with 87.

"He was my teammate, I thought I had to be there," Mark Zonligt, Torres' teammate from 1991-92, said.

Zonligt, who wrestled at 118 pounds and ranks sixth in seasonal escapes for his 1992 campaign, made the two-hour drive with his family from his Modesto home to the Alumni match. "It was well worth it," he said. "It was the least I could do."

Though the alumni match was billed as a fun event, head wrestling coach Lars Jensen mentioned that it was an opportunity to pay tribute to Torres. "Honor our wrestling greats," Jensen, who recruited Torres out of Alhambra High School in Martinez, said. "That's what we're trying to do. That's the key."