Lars Jensen – Head Coach at San Francisco State

By Pablo DiMaria
Correspondent

We catch up with San Francisco State head wrestling coach Lars Jensen to talk to him about the great success of the Gators wrestling program. Coach Jensen will be entering his 31st season as the head coach of his alma mater.

Why should an elite wrestler consider San Francisco State?

As one of only seven four-year schools in California, this would be an excellent choice for the elite wrestler because our program offers a great academic setting and a solid wrestling program.

What are your expectations for the Gator wrestling team entering your 31st season as the head coach?

My expectations are always to qualify as many wrestlers as we can to Nationals and to have multiple All-Americans. Also, to place in the top 10 in the nation as a team.

With the success of the Los Angeles City section at California state this year, will you be recruiting more city kids from Los Angeles and San Francisco section?

I have had much success with the San Francisco Section wrestlers that have helped produced five All-Americans. Currently, we have one wrestler from the L.A. section and will actively recruit to get more wrestlers from those sections.

What will it take to have the same results as the 1997 National Championship team?

It will take a combination of our highly-recruited freshmen wrestlers and returning starters to have a solid run at a national championship. It takes a lot of luck and hard work. But we hope to climb to the top in the near future.

How lucky are you to have coaches Jeff Silviera and Donald Lockett in the program?

Both coaches are very hard working and dedicated. Coach Silveira is very skilled at analyzing and scouting opponents and is an excellent recruiter. Coach Lockett is one of our top technicians that we have ever had at San Francisco State and works well with our elite athletes.

Do you believe that the top three All-Americans from Division II, III and NAIA should be allowed to wrestle in the Division I National Tournament?

I believe that the top two wrestlers in Division II and III should be allowed to compete in the Division I tournament. It added something to the tournament and some of the better wrestlers came from Division II and III. My first three years as a coach we had a qualifier to the Division I tournament each year. That stopped in 1987.

When and where did you begin your coaching career?

I begin coaching in 1980 as an assistant coach for three years and in 1983 became the head coach at the age of 23 at San Francisco State and have been coaching ever since.

Best wrestler or wrestlers to ever come out of the Gator wrestling program?

That is a hard question to answer. I cannot just give you one wrestler. I will give you my top four:
Mauricio Wright – 4 time All-American, two-time National Champion
Morris Johnson – two-time All-American, one time National champion, Pan-American Champion.
Francis Aquino – first four-time All-American
Damon Broadbent – two time All-American, one time National Champion

Favorite place to go on vacation?

My favorite place to go on vacation is Whistler, British Columbia.

One thing people don’t know about you?

One thing you may not know about me is that I am an avid ice hockey fan. My son Brendan plays major junior hockey in Canada and the United States currently.