Since 1959, the Fresno City College wrestling team has won several state championships. Their last championship was in 2001, and the team is striving to do it again this year.
Conrad Rangell is one of the team’s top wrestlers and is undefeated so far this season.
“I love to win, there’s no other feeling like it,” said Rangell. “I feel like I have a bulls-eye on the back of my head, but it keeps me focused.”
Rangell has been wrestling since the fourth grade, adding 14 years of wrestling experience under his belt.
The weekend of Oct. 9, the Rams prevailed with an overwhelming battle with Modesto Junior College for their largest tournament of the season. The Rams brought home another victory.
In the first home match against Santa Rosa on Oct. 22, FCC left no room for failure, dominating the competition 52-0.
On Oct. 23, the Rams competed in the north/south all-star dual in Monterey. Six FCC all-stars competed in this duel and won every match.
“It’s always nice to be here in front of our crowd,” said coach Paul Keysaw.
Keysaw graduated from Pennsylvania State High School in 1986. Before coming to FCC, Keysaw was the head coach for Moorpark College in southern California.
In his ten years at Moorpark, he was voted “coach of the year” three times, and five times for the Western State Conference.
Coach Keysaw seems to satisfy the players by giving them the training and confidence that they need.
Another top wrestler, Marty Rubalcaba, is ranked among the top two in the state according to the coach and is having his best season so far.
There are 10 weight classes in college wrestling and the FCC roster features people of all weights from all over the state, and even as far as Wisconsin.
Wrestling requires intense weight loss and a strict diet in order to stay in your desired weight class. The diet consists of lots of lean meat and carbohydrates, as well as fruits and vegetables.
“Our coaching staff is really great. They keep us grounded so we don’t get over-confident. We don’t let too many things get to our head,” said Rubalcaba.
The team’s second home match is against Chabot today at 5:00 pm in the gym.
