Articles
Coaches Corner – Wayne Branstetter
Wayne Branstetter – Poway HS
Wayne Branstetter – Poway HS
San Diego Section
How long have you been coaching and why did you get into it?
41 years – Junior College Coach suggested it and the “light went off!”
What are the goals for your program this season?
Win the CIF, Master’s and STATE MEET.
What wrestlers on your team are you expecting big things from this season?
Ray Cordova – 108 Freshman
Scotty Kiyono – 115 Freshman
Manny Lair – 122
Kimo Dial – 128
Ralph Tovar – 140 or 147
Sergio Enloe – 147 or 154
Cody Doyle – 154
Colt Doyle – 160
How’s your relationship with your wrestlers?
Great – like sons
How would you describe a typical week of practice during the season?
Lift or run early in the day. 2 hour practice after school. Possibly work out on Saturday if there’s no tournament.
Who do you think is the best wrestler(s) to have ever come out of your high school?
Difficult to answer….
Some good ones.. Brody Barrios, Paul Baird, Todd Schavrien, Andy Kim, Joe Baker, Pat Payne, Andrew Gharst, Aaron Gharst, Colton Nichols, Fred Wong, Shane Rosselle, Ian Daube, Henry Yorba, Victor Lopez, Stevie Cervantes,
old timers – Glenn Martins, Bob Connolly
Norm LaCombe, (Those are names off the top of my head – many more).
What advice would you give to those coaches who are barely starting a wrestling program?
Develop a relationship with the kids.
The rest is easy…
What is the answer to having a successful wrestling program?
It’s a MYSTERY! ha – Dedicated coach who love’s the kid’s and the sport of wrestling, knowing that it will “change” their life for the better.
What advice would you give a high school wrestler who is considering wrestling in college?
Better have good grades and lots of “perseverance” and a never give up attitude.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
MONTANA – I was born there and I’m an avid hunter and FISHERMAN.
What is your favorite TV show?
Duck Dynasty!
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I enjoy great movies that are meaningful and powerful. I also will go to plays. ( I have an “artsie” side) and I’m a devout Christian.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your wrestlers or your program?
“After it’s all been said in done, there’s a whole lot more SAID than DONE!” Your actions will define you.
Episode 34 of The MatBoss Podcast is with four-time All-American and three-time NCAA Division I finalist Gerry Abas of Fresno State. Gerry Abas talks about his start in wrestling in the Bay Area and how his speed, quickness and flash on the wrestling mat had its foundations in break dancing in the 1980s.
He also talks about his classic match and loss to Iowa’s Lincoln McIlravy, coaching his younger brother Stephen at Fresno State, watching the school drop the program and his feelings about it at the time. Abas also speaks about his son Jaden and what we can expect from him on the next level.
Stephen Abas
Stephen Abas, 2008 Olympic silver medalist and three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Fresno State, has been named head wrestling coach at Fresno High School.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Abas to Fresno Unified, knowing that he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our Fresno High student-athletes,” said Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson.
The statement said Abas would take the helm of the Warriors wrestling program at Fresno High immediately.
As a wrestler at Fresno State University, Abas was a four-time NCAA All-American, winning three NCAA titles at 125 pounds in 1999, 2001, and 2002. Abas tallied a 144-4 overall record for the Bulldogs, including 46 pins. Abas’ career winning percentage of 97.3 percent is also a school record. For all these accomplishments, Abas was named the Fresno State Male Athlete of the Year in 1999 and 2001.
Stephen in high school (Canyon Springs HS & James Logan HS) was a 3X CIF state champion and a NHSCA National Champion in 1996.
Stephen Abas – Fresno State, 3X NCAA National Champion
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Registration/Workout 3:00 – 8:00 pm
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Round 1 Girls Championship Round 1 9:00 am – 11:30 am (10 mats)
Round 2 Girls Championship Round 2 11:30 am – 1:00 pm (10 mats)
Round 1 Boys Championship Pig Tail 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (10 mats)
Round 2 Boys Championship Round 1 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm (10 mats)
Round 3 Boys Championship Round 2 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (10 mats)
Round 4 Boys Consolation Pig Tails 7:30 pm – 8:45 pm (10 mats)
Friday, February 22, 2019
Round 5/3 Boys/Girls Consolation Round 1 9:00 – 12:00 pm (10/5 mats)
Round 6/4 Boys/Girls Consolation Round 2 12:00 – 3:00 pm (10/5 mats)
Round 7/5 Boys/Girls Quarterfinals/Consolation Round 3 3:00 – 6:00 pm (10/5 mats)
Round 8/6 Boys/Girls Consolation Round 4 6:00 – 7:30 pm (10/5 mats)
Round 9/7 Boys/Girls Consolation Round 5 7:30 – 8:30 pm (10/5 mats)
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Round 8/10 Girls/Boys Championship Semi-Finals 9:00 – 10:30 am (6 mats)
Round 8/11 Girls/Boys Consolation Semi’s 10:30 – 12:00 pm (6/3 mats)
Round 10/12 Girls/Boys 3rd/5th/7th Places 12:00 -2:00 pm (6/3 mats)
Final Round Championship Finals 5:05 pm (2 mats)
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Team Rankings
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 106 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 126 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 120 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 113 lbs.
