LAS VEGAS – Sixth-year senior Logan Nelson returned to the mats to win three matches and lead SFU to its best performance of the season, capturing three duals Sunday (Dec. 19) against New Mexico Highlands (NCAA D2), Buena Vista (NCAA D3) and Lyon of Arkansas (NAIA) at the Desert Duals.
 
Nelson (184-pounds), Riley Prough (133), Randy McDonald (141), Magnus McCrackin (165), Karanpreet Gill  (197) and Taniela Feliciano-Takafua (285) went unbeaten at the Desert Duals to lead SFU to a 28-17 win over New Mexico Highlands, a 37-9 win over Buena Vista and a 49-6 win over Lyon inside the Flamingo Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
 
Nelson, injured following a win in the team's season-opening dual meet against Alberta, is on a mission to get to the national championships to compete for a national title that has eluded SFU wrestlers since joining the NCAA. Sunday, Nelson competed like a champion, winning a close 5-3 decision in his opening match against Lance Killgore and then pinning his next two opponents in 86 and 37 seconds.
 
Nelson, who qualified for the NCAA Championships at 174-pounds in 2020 before the tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19, was a pre-season ranked opponent.
 
"Having Logan back in our lineup was huge, he just brings so much experience and presence to our group," said head coach Justin Abdou. "He's a heart and soul guy and his presence gives everyone in our group a little boost."
 
Taniela Feliciano-Takafua pinned his opponents in 15 seconds and in 2:45 to pick up two wins and to remain unbeaten this season at 24-0. With three victories each, Prough moved to 14-2 on the season while McDonald pushed his season record to 16-7.

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Abdou was still missing Jacob Alexander-Torres (149) and Aizayah Yacapin (125) but this was the closest he has come to fielding a complete team.
 
"This was our best performance of the year and I hope we can build off this because our January schedule is very tough," he said.
  
SFU is scheduled to be back in action Jan. 8 at the Tracy Borah Duals in Gunniston, Colorado.
 
Simon Fraser vs NM Highlands 1 (SF 28, NMH 17)
125: Naythan Galbsio over unknown (Forf) (NMH)
133: Riley Prough over Isaac Garcia (Fall 2:43) (Simon Fraser)
141: Randy McDonald over Gabe Rivera (Fall 3:31) (Simon Fraser)
149: Jonathon Trujillo over Samuel Patton (TF 16-0) (NHM)
157: Evan Killgore over Brent Hodgson (SV-1 9-7) (NMH)
165: Magnus McCrackin over Thomas Tolbert (Dec 9-4) (Simon Fraser)
174: Allen Michel over Zachary Stratton (Dec 16-12) (NHM)
184: Logan Nelson over (Dec 5-3) (Simon Fraser)
197: Karanpreet Gill   over Jayden Johnson (Maj 15-6) (Simon Fraser)
 
 
Buena Vista vs Simon Fraser (SF 37, BVU 9)
125: Byron Fleming (Buena Vista) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
133: Riley Prough (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Caleb Massari (Buena Vista) TF 16-1
141: Randy McDonald (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Axel Hernandez (Buena Vista) Dec 10-7
149: Isaiah Schannep (Buena Vista) over Ryan Hicks (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) Dec 8-3
157: Brent Hodgson (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Jacob Hanssen (Buena Vista) SV-1 9-7
165: Magnus McCrackin (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Garret Bruce (Buena Vista) TF 21-6
174: Zachary Stratton (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Caleb Rojas (Buena Vista) Fall 1:12
184: Logan Nelson (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Bruce Lukehart (Buena Vista) Fall 1:26
197: Karanpreet Gill   (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Diego Escarcega (Buena Vista) Dec 14-7
285: Taniela Feliciano-Takafua (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Errol Alden (Buena Vista) Fall 0:15
 
Lyon vs Simon Fraser (SF 49, Lyon 6)
125: Zebulan Sanders (Lyon College) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
133: Riley Prough (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Zebulan Sanders (Lyon College) Fall 0:35
141: Randy McDonald (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Jacob Lawrinenko (Lyon College) Fall 1:12
149: Ryan Hicks (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Quintin Cotton (Lyon College) TF 18-2
157: Brent Hodgson (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Carlos Cuevas (Lyon College) Dec 8-4
165: Magnus McCrackin (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Raul Gonzalez (Lyon College) TF 22-7
174: Zachary Stratton (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Liam Selhorst (Lyon College) Fall 2:00
184: Logan Nelson (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Ariston Bartley (Lyon College) Fall 0:37
197: Karanpreet Gill   (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
285:Taniela Feliciano-Takafua (Simon Fraser (B.C.)) over Austin Trimble (Lyon College) Fall 2:45
 
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