Fresno Needs A Division-1 Wrestling Program

FRESNO, Calif- It has been five years since the second removal of the wrestling program and it’s taking its toll on the community. It took a ten year battle to reinstate the program when it was dropped the first time in 2006.

The lack of a consistent wrestling program over the last 20 years has had an impact on collegiate wrestling at the high school level.

“When Fresno State was around, you had almost every coach around this area was from Fresno State. Well, they’ve kind of all timed out now and, you know, the new crop of coaches coming in. Well, there’s no state schools in the state of California producing teachers and wrestling coaches,” Fresno City Wrestling Coach Paul Keysaw said. “You’re getting coaches coach in high school that wrestled three, four years in high school and the reason they’re coaching is because no one else will do it.”

Due to the lack of Division-1 wrestling schools in California, many student athletes make the decision to leave the state and compete elsewhere. Most don’t necessarily want to leave but it’s a tough choice they’re forced to make if they want to pursue their athletic career.

“That was always the big thing watching those duels. It was always sort of like, I want to go out there and wrestle in front of my hometown. People that I’ve been around my whole life,” two-time JUCO State Champion Jake Prudek said. “I want them to go and see that. And now, you don’t get that opportunity.”

Fresno loves its wrestling and there’s a reason why that culture is so strong here.

“I think people here are used to working hard, getting up every morning and going out and working outside, wherever that is, and that lends itself to be a good wrestler,” Coach Keysaw said.

Fresno City College has dominated wrestling at the Junior College level. Will Fresno State ever get another chance to compete at an elite level?