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Hawkeyes land Sophomore Justin Mejia

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Justin Mejia

Justin Mejia – Clovis HS

Ross Bartachek
http://iawrestle.com

Today was a big day for the Iowa program as they received letters of intent from quite a few of their class of 2015, but maybe even just as big they received their second verbal commitment for the class of 2017 when 113 Justin Mejia (@justin-mejia) of Clovis, California announced he would be attending the University of Iowa. “I just love the mentality. That’s the kind of guy I am and the way they wrestle, and now I get to say I am going there.” Meija said on choosing Iowa. “I really love the Midwest, more than the east coast which has a lot of people and everything is smashed together. I just like it there.”

What makes the verbal even more intriguing is that Iowa’s other 2017 verbal, Jason Renteria is at the same weight, “It was overwhelming at first,” Mejia said of the decision process, “and when Renteria committed I was a little nervous at first, but I talked with my coach Ben Holscher and in the end picked Iowa.” Renteria and Meija’s bond will deepen when the two will meet in an Illinois dual when the two nationally ranked teams they wrestle for square off, “We’re going to try and rip each others heads off, and I want to win, but at the end we’re future teammates and it’s going to be all good.”

A California state champion, and Flo nationals place winner Mejia said that he really increased his interest in Iowa when he attended a camp there this summer. When asked who in the room he would be interested in wrestling with Justin responded, “McDonough is a guy I have looked up to forever, and Gilman was a guy I was close with at the camp this summer.” Mejia also mentioned being able to work with Renteria some day.

“I would like to thank my parents for making it possible for me to even be here, and then letting me do all of this (wrestling). I would also like to thank my coach, Ben Holscher.” Mejia said, “I also want to let Hawkeye fans know I am never going to quit. I am going to wrestle until the whistle blows. I never stop and just keep on going.”

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Justin Mejia
This is a very solid addition for Iowa and Mejia, who projects either 125 or 133, has a chance to continue Iowa’s tradition of strong lower weight wrestlers. After building a pipeline out east, it appears that the Brands brothers haven’t forgotten the highly talented west coast. We look forward to a lot of good things to come from the young wrestler and now with this decision off his shoulders, he can go out and do what he does best. Wrestle non-stop until the whistle blows.

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The MatBoss Podcast Episode 34: Gerry Abas

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Gerry Abas
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.

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Stephen Abas named head coach at Fresno High School

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Stephen Abas

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.

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Stephen Abas

Stephen Abas – Fresno State, 3X NCAA National Champion

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2019 CIF State Wrestling Championships Schedule

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Rabobank Arena - Bakersfield, California
Rabobank Arena – Bakersfield, California

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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