Armando Gonzalez and Adin Due
ñas have found a new home to wrestle for after Fresno State cut
its program and left the two in limbo
n Brian Babcock Staff Writer
Gilroy – It looks like Armando Gonzalez and Adin Dueñas will be able to fulfill their dream of wrestling in college after all.
After the rug was pulled out from under them when Fresno State cut its wrestling program for budgetary reasons, the two recent high school graduates wondered if they would be able to find a school before the next season started. They chose to go with Cal-State Fullerton.
“I’m glad I have the opportunity to wrestle,” said Armando Gonzalez. “It’s always been a dream of mine to wrestle in Division I. That’s the reason I’ve wrestled my whole career, to be able to wrestle in college.”
Now the two are racing to find a place to live before the school year begins next Thursday.
Gonzalez said he was “pretty upset” when he was given the news that Fresno State had dropped its wrestling program. He said the college and the program was a perfect fit for him and he was scared that he might not be able to wrestle.
“I’m really happy,” Dueñas said. “Once I heard Fresno State dropped its program I was devastated.”
Armando Gonzalez, the Gilroy High School wrestling coach, told the two they didn’t have to wrestle.
“They had the scholarship for Fresno and they wouldn’t have to deal with all the extra dues,” the elder Gonzalez said. “But they said they wanted to wrestle. Their minds are set.”
The scholarship they received will be moved over to Cal-State Fullerton, but they don’t know how much they will get.
For now they’re focusing on wrestling and the new wrestling season that will begin in November. Coach Gonzalez said he hopes to see the two young wrestlers redshirted so they won’t have the pressure to produce for the team immediately. He said between the extensive workouts, being away from home and trying to figure out college life, the best thing would be for the two to sit the out season.
The younger Gonzalez and Dueñas agreed and said that would probably be the smartest move. They said it would give them a year to build their strength and get acclimated to college life.
But there are no butterflies or nerves, Gonzalez said. He’s more excited than anything else at the opportunity of being able to wrestle.
His father is happy for the two also.
“I’m excited for them,” coach Gonzalez said. “I’m excited that I’m going to be able to watch my boys still wrestle.”
Dueñas said that whatever happens the two will just have to work hard.
“It’s quite a jump from high school to college,” he said. “There’s a really huge gap. But if you work hard enough you can achieve anything.”
