Grapples, takedowns, reversals and pin-falls are coming to a mat near you as Fresno City College wrestling team prepares for their upcoming season.

The Rams open their season on Sept. 28 in a contest against West Hill College and Sierra College.

The Rams enter this season with a lot to prove, after finishing last season in second place in the California state championships for the second time in the last three seasons.

With the Rams having six returning wrestlers along with additional newcomers to the roster, the number one ranked Rams are more determined than ever to make this the season they finally win a state championship.

The Rams believe that strong fundamentals and techniques with proper execution is the way of forming a championship program.

Guiding the team through the fundamentals is the Ram’s head coach Paul Keysaw.

Keysaw, who has been the Rams coach for 10 years, believes he has a great system in place that can make this program what it is and will take his team to a championship.

“I am a creature of habit. I do the same things that I’ve been doing for 20 years,” Keysaw said.

“I mostly kept the same game plan as before, and I believe this team will perform well this season.”

As the start of the season gets ever closer, each athlete on the roster is making their final preparations to be at their very best, both physically and mentally.

The Rams have been training themselves on being mentally centered while being physically able to capitalize on any opportunities in any match that comes their way throughout the season.

Second year athlete Joshua Annis, who will be wrestling at the 157 pound weight class, feels like he is physically and mentally ready for him and his team to perform well this season.

“I have been training really hard lifting more weights than I ever have, putting extra work running at night and trying to stay healthy overall,” Annis said.

“We are hungry for that state title this season and I think we can do it this year, we just have to stay physical and go all out in our matches to get it done,” he added.

Looking ahead, the Rams are more determined than ever to make this season the one they finally get over the hump and win a state wrestling championship.

Third year athlete Julian Graytan, wrestling at 125 pound weight class, expressed how he is tired of finishing second and wants his final year with the team to end in a grand style with a championship ring on his finger.

Fresno City is eager to get out of the gate, and utilize every takedown and pin-fall.

They know they are one step closer to reaching their ultimate goal with a favorable schedule ahead of them, with the Rams being the the heavy favorite in every match up.

The Rams’ title-or-bust mentality is what will make this season a season worth checking out, for the Rams are on their way of possibly making history.

“It would mean a lot for me and my team as we’ve been having a great team these past few years, but just not able to close it out,” said Graytan.

“We are tired of getting second, we want that ring now and that is our only goal for us this season.”