’Runners wrestlers set for final home match of year
| Saturday, Jan 28 2012 10:54 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Jan 28 2012 10:54 PM
It has been a struggle this year for CSU Bakersfield’s wrestling program, but that was almost expected.
The Roadrunners conclude their home season today when they host Arizona State at 2 p.m. in the Icardo Center.
CSUB will ultimately be judged this year on how it does in future competition, specifically the Pac-12 Championships in late February and then the mid-March NCAA Championships in St. Louis.
The Roadrunners are 2-5 in duals but coming off a victory, 21-19, over Northern Colorado on Jan. 15.
Prior to that, their only victory in a dual came against a non-Division I opponent: 35-6 over Menlo College on Nov. 13.
CSUB has a youth-dominated squad. Eight seniors were on last season’s team, and seven of those were starters.
“Having a young team and jumping right into the fire has been tough for some of our freshmen,” coach Mike Mendoza said. “It takes perseverance. They must have their minds right.
“What we have tried to do all year is not saying this was going to be a tough year but saying it would be challenging for the whole team. It’s about being able to compete and step up when they’re underdogs. And staying positive.”
There have been some solid performers. Tyler Iwamura, a junior 125-pounder, takes a 16-8 record into today’s match and has been nationally ranked at times this season.
Frank Lomas, a Bakersfield High graduate who is competing in his final home match today, is 11-4 at 133 and was the difference in the win over Northern Colorado when he pinned his opponent.
Among the freshmen, Bakersfield High grad Adam Fierro is 10-8 at 165 and has had some nice performances.
“Some of our guys have stepped up individually. Some of our guys have had the right frame of mind,” Mendoza said. “For some, our standards are under par — not having the right frame of mind and not able to handle it very well.”
First-year assistant coach Riley Orozco, who was one of the eight seniors last season, said losing the bulk of the lineup from a year ago has contributed to the team’s overall struggles. But it isn’t the only reason.
Another factor, Orozco said, stems from February, 2010, when CSUB President Horace Mitchell announced that wrestling would be dropped at the end of that season.
A furious fundraising effort saved the sport several months later, and wrestling must continue to raise all of its own money to survive. But the program’s uncertainty two years ago has impacted this season, Orozco said.
“We lost a whole recruiting class,” Orozco said. “And some guys transferred out. This is the year we’re feeling it.”
One of those who left the program is Levi Cooper, who returns to Bakersfield today as Arizona State’s heavyweight. Cooper, an All-American last year, is ranked No. 13 in the nation according to Intermat.
“But we’re still working hard and we are putting all our work into our young guys and the returning guys,” Orozco said. “We tell them to keep working, to keep pushing. Things will get better. It will pay off in the end. ... That’s what we’re trying to tell them. It’s going to be rough now but stick with it, and eventually you’ll get to the top.”
At least two of the Roadrunner wrestlers are fighting through personal issues. One’s father was diagnosed with cancer, another’s father had a heart attack.
Neither wrestler wanted to be identified, Mendoza said, but they are still out on the mat every day, whether it’s practicing or competing.
“We’ve had guys on our team who had to leave, and he was back here a day-and-a-half later,” Mendoza said.
“That’s a testament to this sport. It teaches you so much. Anyone who’s wrestled can say there’s definitely a lot you get out of this sport, just from the discipline and dedication.
“All sports require that. But when you add the fact you’re cutting weight, you have an opponent you’re facing one-on-one, it requires mental toughness.”
