• Contact
  • Legal Pages
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Privacy Policy
    • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
    • DMCA
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
San Francisco News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health & Medical
  • News
  • Sciences & Nature
  • Sport
  • Technology
No Result
View All Result
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health & Medical
  • News
  • Sciences & Nature
  • Sport
  • Technology
No Result
View All Result
San Francisco News
No Result
View All Result
HomeSport

San Francisco State wrestler becomes national champion

April 6, 2025
inSport
Download app from appStore
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


The Brief

Johnny Lopez is the first national champion from San Francisco State University since 2013

Lopez’s mentality leads him to a lot of wins on the wrestling mat

His success benefits the wrestling program with recruitment and finances

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco State University All-American wrestler Johnny Lopez pulled off two historic milestones at the NCAA Division II national championship in Indianapolis in March. It’s the first time since 2013 that an SF State wrestler has become a national champion, and Lopez is the 14th national champion in their school history.

Advertisement

“I’d been picturing this day for a long time, and it finally came to fruition. I was excited, but I wasn’t surprised,” said Lopez.

Lopez admitted he was nervous entering the tournament due to the environment. But once he stacked win after win, his confidence grew, and since he brought home some hardware. He has a bit of an aura on SF State’s campus.

“I mean, my teammates are always hyping me up about it because they live it, they go through the hard work, and they’re just really proud of me. I’ve had a few people come up to me like, ‘Oh you’re Johnny, right? Yeah, it’s me,'” said Lopez.

Lopez may not be the biggest or quickest, but he claims his mentality is what leads him to a lot of wins on the wrestling mat.

Advertisement

“I know I’m one of the best wrestlers and I know how much time I put into this sport. I know what I know, and I’m confident in it and I know it every time I hit it. It’s got a good percentage to finish,” said Lopez.

Lopez and his teammate Kyle Botelho, a Burlingame native, finished in second and third place at the NCAA Division II Super Regional IV, where the Gators finished eighth as a team.

Their head coach, Jason Welch, says in his eight years of coaching, Lopez is the best wrestler he’s been able to coach. And Lopez’s success is making his job easier.

“We love that he’s a sophomore, so we have two more years with him, and we also love that when we go to recruits this spring or to our alumni for fundraising et cetera. We’re not saying ‘hey we’ll be good eventually, hey if you invest in us, we’ll give back’. We’re saying, ‘Hey we’re winning now, come to our school. Hey, we’re winning. Why don’t you donate more money so we can win more,'” said Welch.

Advertisement

Why you should care

The majority of the San Francisco State wrestlers aren’t on athletic scholarships.

Lopez’s plan for next season is to dominate his opponents to truly show he’s the best.



Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link

RelatedPosts

Bay Area Sports HoF: Montgomery reflects on success, calls on Stanford, Cal to ‘figure out what it takes’ in NIL
Sport

Bay Area Sports HoF: Montgomery calls on Stanford, Cal to ‘figure out what it takes’ in NIL

May 20, 2025
Download app from appStore
Sport

Royals fans were livid when FanDuel Sports’ coverage cut out at worst possible time

May 20, 2025
San Francisco 49ers Announce New Owner Partners
Sport

San Francisco 49ers Announce New Owner Partners

May 20, 2025
San Francisco wins 84-54 over Long Beach State | Sports
Sport

Kansas City-San Francisco Runs | Sports

May 20, 2025
Download app from appStore
Sport

49ers to add 33rd member to Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame

May 19, 2025
Download app from appStore
Sport

NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers give LB Fred Warner 3-year contract extension

May 19, 2025
Bay Area Host Committee and San Francisco Travel Partner to Celebrate the Power of Sport in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area - Cal North

Vinod Khosla and family join San Francisco 49ers ownership group – Diya TV

May 20, 2025
Bay Area Host Committee and San Francisco Travel Partner to Celebrate the Power of Sport in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area - Cal North

49ers Officially Announce Brock Purdy’s Extension – Sports Illustrated

May 20, 2025
Longtime San Francisco Giants Broadcaster Weighs in on Torpedo Bats Controversy - Sports Illustrated

San Jose implements entertainment zones to help boost business in downtown – CBS News

May 20, 2025
Bay Area Host Committee and San Francisco Travel Partner to Celebrate the Power of Sport in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area - Cal North

Brock Purdy’s stunning $265M extension solidifies his future as San Francisco 49ers’ game-changing leader for years to come – MotorcycleSports

May 20, 2025
Bay Area Host Committee and San Francisco Travel Partner to Celebrate the Power of Sport in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area - Cal North

San Francisco 49ers unveil thrilling news on Brock Purdy’s record-breaking contract extension – MotorcycleSports

May 20, 2025
Longtime San Francisco Giants Broadcaster Weighs in on Torpedo Bats Controversy - Sports Illustrated

San Francisco 49ers secure future by making Fred Warner the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history with well-deserved extension – MotorcycleSports

May 20, 2025
Longtime San Francisco Giants Broadcaster Weighs in on Torpedo Bats Controversy - Sports Illustrated

Giants Hot Prospect Walker Martin Making Huge Breakthrough at Plate – Sports Illustrated

May 20, 2025
Bay Area Sports HoF: Montgomery reflects on success, calls on Stanford, Cal to ‘figure out what it takes’ in NIL

Bay Area Sports HoF: Montgomery calls on Stanford, Cal to ‘figure out what it takes’ in NIL

May 20, 2025

Categories

Archives

April 2025
MTWTFSS
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930 
« Mar May »
  • Contact
  • Legal Pages
No Result
View All Result
  • Home

© 2024

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version