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Sunday, July 09, 2006
A four day wrestling camp conducted by the wrestling coaches
of Fresno State concluded today with several guest speakers
and a 90 minute takedown tournament before a supporting crowd
of nearly 500 people at the University’s North Gym.
The event kicked off with a presentation by Alfonso Tucker,
a former All-American wrestler for Fresno State. Mr. Tucker
spoke about how wrestling played a vital role in his personal
development and survival as an adolescent, teenager and young
adult. He attributed his personal and career success to his
life lessons learned on the mat at Mayfair Elementary and
Hoover High, before continuing his education at the collegiate
level. Mr. Tucker noted that without wrestling, he might not
have attended college at all.
Following Mr. Tucker was 3x NCAA Champion and Olympic Silver
Medalist Stephen Abas. Mr. Abas talked about how shocked he
was to learn of 50 years of wrestling tradition being dismantled
at Fresno State. Abas also addressed the opportunities that
wrestling has created for him, as well as the need to keep
the wrestling program intact in Fresno and the Central Valley.
Former FSU Head Coach Dennis DeLiddo then addressed the group
and spoke about the efforts being made to reinstate the wrestling
program at Fresno State, noting that he does not intend to
quit until the program is reinstated and that the support
from the community is strong.
Over 80 athletes participated in a “best 3 of 5”
takedown tournament on two mats. They ranged in age from 4
years on up to 17 years. The athletes were pooled by weight
for the tournament and, most wrestlers had 4 matches during
the course of the 90 minute tournament. The fans and supporters
of wrestling were treated to an excellent exhibition of what
the campers had learned over the four day camp.
All in all, it was an excellent conclusion to a successful
camp. The community support was quite evident. Furthermore,
supporters of the wrestling program vowed to keep the fight
going and the pressure on to reinstate wrestling at Fresno
State.
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