NCAA Division I — Champions, All-Americans, and the Path Beyond High School

The journey through Phase 2 of the California Top 100 Wrestlers project now moves into TIER 3 — Collegiate-Level All-Americans, a group representing another extraordinary level of achievement in the history of California wrestling.

TIER 3 is being examined through a series of separate articles covering the major collegiate divisions:

• NCAA Division I
• NCAA Division II
• NCAA Division III
• NAIA
• NJCAA — Junior College

Each division will be evaluated on its own competitive terms while recognizing its unique historical significance and contribution to California wrestling.

The first installment examines NCAA Division I, the highest level of NCAA collegiate wrestling.

Winning an NCAA Division I championship or reaching the NCAA All-American podium represents the culmination of years of development at the high-school, national, and collegiate levels. For California wrestlers, those achievements provide another important measure of competitive excellence beyond the CIF State Championships.

Just as importantly, the NCAA Division I data reveals something else: a wrestler’s high-school résumé did not always predict how high that wrestler’s career would ultimately rise.

Some California NCAA champions were dominant state champions.

Others were state finalists or medalists.

Some qualified for CIF State without reaching the podium.

And a few did not qualify for CIF State at all.

That diversity is an important part of the story.

The Extraordinary Difficulty of Reaching NCAA Division I

It is important to recognize just how difficult it is to make the transition from the high-school wrestling level to NCAA Division I. From the outside, advancing from high-school wrestling to college competition can sometimes appear to be a natural progression. In reality, the numbers tell a very different story.

According to tracking data compiled by Scholarship Stats, approximately 0.9% to 1.2% of high-school boys ultimately advance to the NCAA Division I level in wrestling. In other words, roughly one out of every 100 high-school wrestlers reaches a Division I roster.

But reaching a Division I roster is only the beginning.

Among those wrestlers who do make it to the NCAA Division I level, only about 2.8% of Division I rostered athletes will earn NCAA All-American honors in a given year. When viewed against the entire population of high-school wrestlers, the level of achievement becomes even more extraordinary.

The probability of a high-school wrestler ultimately standing on the NCAA tournament podium as an All-American is approximately 0.034%—a remarkably small fraction of the overall high-school wrestling population.

Put another way, the journey from the high-school mat to the NCAA Division I All-American podium is not simply the next step in a wrestler’s development.

It represents an extraordinary level of competitive achievement.

That perspective is important when evaluating the wrestlers included in TIER 3.

Every NCAA Division I All-American represented in this section successfully navigated multiple levels of competition, overcame the enormous attrition that occurs between high school and college wrestling, and ultimately distinguished himself among the nation’s best collegiate wrestlers.

Some arrived at college as highly decorated state champions and national-level recruits.

Others developed gradually.

Some began their collegiate careers at junior colleges or NCAA Division II programs before reaching Division I.

And some entered college without the type of high-school résumé that would have suggested they were destined for the NCAA podium.

Yet all ultimately reached the same remarkable destination:

NCAA Division I All-American status.

This is why the accomplishments documented in TIER 3 should not be viewed simply as another line on a wrestling résumé. In the context of the entire high-school wrestling population, reaching the NCAA Division I All-American podium represents an exceptionally rare achievement.

It also reinforces one of the central principles of the California Top 100 project:

High-school success is only one part of a wrestler’s story.

The ultimate measure of a career requires examining what happened after high school as well—including how far a wrestler continued to develop, how successfully he competed at the collegiate level, and whether he ultimately reached the highest levels of competition available to him.

NCAA Division I National Champions

At the highest end of the NCAA Division I category are California wrestlers who captured an NCAA Division I individual championship.

Winning an NCAA Division I title represents the culmination of years of development at the high-school, national, and collegiate levels and places a wrestler among the elite of American collegiate wrestling.

Marty Kistler — Notre Dame, Southern, 1981

Marty Kistler established himself as one of California’s premier wrestlers before continuing his career at Iowa. A two-time CIF State champion and four-time CIF State finalist, Kistler also captured a Junior National Greco-Roman championship. At Iowa, he became a two-time NCAA Division I champion and three-time All-American, adding an NCAA Outstanding Wrestler honor to an already remarkable career.

Isaiah “IMar” Martinez — Lemoore, Central, 2013

Isaiah Martinez was one of the most accomplished wrestlers produced by California’s modern high-school system. A three-time CIF State champion and four-time state medalist, Martinez won Junior and Cadet Fargo championships and accumulated numerous national freestyle and Greco-Roman All-American honors. At Illinois, he became a two-time NCAA Division I champion and four-time All-American, establishing himself among the nation’s elite.

Chris Pendleton — Lemoore, Central, 2000

A CIF State champion from Lemoore, Chris Pendleton also earned NHSCA Senior All-American, Wrestling USA, and Amateur Wrestling News recognition. At Oklahoma State, he captured two NCAA Division I championships and finished as a three-time All-American.

Jesse Delgado — Gilroy, CCS, 2010

Jesse Delgado was a CIF State champion and four-time state medalist who captured the NHSCA Senior National Championship and earned numerous national high-school honors. At Illinois, Delgado became a two-time NCAA Division I champion and three-time All-American.

Dan Cuestas — Merced, SJS, 1977

Dan Cuestas was a two-time CIF State champion who first won two NCAA Division II championships at CSU Bakersfield before moving to Division I and winning two NCAA titles there as well. He finished as a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, making his career one of the most accomplished in California wrestling history.

Eric Wais — Woodland, SJS, 1976

A two-time CIF State champion and three-time Junior National All-American in freestyle and Greco-Roman, Eric Wais continued to Oklahoma State, where he captured an NCAA Division I championship and became a three-time All-American.

David Lee — Bella Vista, SJS, 1984

David Lee made California wrestling history as the first three-time CIF State champion. He also won a Junior National freestyle championship and earned two additional Junior National All-American honors. At Stanford and Wisconsin, Lee captured an NCAA Division I championship and finished as a three-time All-American.

Adam Tirapelle — Hiram Johnson/Buchanan, SJS, 1996

Adam Tirapelle was a two-time CIF State champion and three-time medalist who captured the NHSCA Senior National Championship and earned multiple national honors. At Illinois, he became an NCAA Division I champion and three-time All-American.

Mark Munoz — Vallejo, SJS, 1996

Mark Munoz was a two-time CIF State champion, NHSCA Senior National champion, and FILA Junior World silver medalist. At Oklahoma State, he became an NCAA Division I champion and two-time All-American.

Richard Figueroa — Selma, Central, 2020

Richard Figueroa was a three-time CIF State champion and recipient of the David Schultz High School Excellence Award. His national and international credentials included a Junior Fargo championship, 16U Fargo All-American honors, and a Cadet World silver medal. At Arizona State, he became an NCAA Division I champion and All-American.

Steve Barrett — Miraleste, Southern, 1973

Steve Barrett was a CIF State champion during the inaugural era of the state championships and went on to Oklahoma State, where he captured an NCAA Division I championship and finished as a three-time All-American.

Fred Bohna — Clovis, Central, 1974

Fred Bohna was a CIF State champion who earned Wrestling USA and Junior National recognition before continuing to UCLA. There, he became an NCAA Division I champion and All-American.

Derek Moore — Shasta, Northern, 2002

Derek Moore’s high-school credentials were comparatively modest, with CIF State finishes of seventh and fifth. At UC Davis, however, he developed into an NCAA Division I champion and All-American, earning NCAA Outstanding Wrestler recognition.

Aden Valencia — Sobrato, CCS, 2022

Aden Valencia finished third at CIF State but continued developing through national and international competition, including multiple Fargo All-American honors and two age-group World Championships. At Stanford, he became an NCAA Division I champion and All-American.

Jesse Reyes — Bakersfield, Central, 1979

Jesse Reyes provides one of the clearest examples of the difference between high-school state results and ultimate collegiate achievement.

Reyes did not qualify for the CIF State Championships, yet became a two-time NCAA Division II champion and All-American at CSU Bakersfield before moving to Division I, where he captured an NCAA Division I championship and finished as a three-time Division I All-American.

His career is a powerful reminder that the CIF State tournament was not always a predictor of a wrestler’s ultimate collegiate ceiling.

Multiple-Time NCAA Division I All-Americans

Winning an NCAA championship is one measure of collegiate excellence. Reaching the All-American podium repeatedly demonstrates something equally significant: the ability to remain among the nation’s elite over several seasons.

Four-Time All-Americans

Gerry Abas — Oakland Tech, Oakland, 1990

Gerry Abas was a two-time CIF State medalist who won a Junior National freestyle championship and earned national recognition before becoming a four-time NCAA Division I All-American at Fresno State, reaching the NCAA finals three times.

Kyle Parco — De La Salle, NCS, 2019

Kyle Parco was a CIF State champion and Junior Fargo Greco-Roman champion who became a four-time NCAA Division I All-American after competing at Fresno State and Arizona State.

Evan Wick — San Marino, Southern, 2016

Evan Wick was a CIF State champion and three-time medalist who earned multiple Junior Fargo and national honors before becoming a four-time NCAA Division I All-American at Wisconsin and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Bernie Truax — Rancho Buena Vista, San Diego, 2018

Bernie Truax was a two-time CIF State medalist who developed through national competition and became a four-time NCAA Division I All-American at Cal Poly and Penn State.

Three-Time All-Americans

Nathan Morgan — Bakersfield, Central, 2004

A three-time CIF State champion and four-time medalist, Nathan Morgan earned extensive national recognition before becoming a three-time NCAA Division I All-American at Oklahoma State.

Morgan McIntosh — Calvary Chapel, Southern, 2011

Morgan McIntosh was a three-time CIF State champion and four-time medalist who won two FLO National titles and two Junior freestyle championships. At Penn State, he became a three-time NCAA Division I All-American.

Jason Welch — Las Lomas, NCS, 2008

Jason Welch was a three-time CIF State champion and four-time medalist who accumulated extensive national honors before becoming a three-time NCAA Division I All-American at Northwestern.

Shane Valdez — Calvary Chapel, Southern, 1994

Shane Valdez was a CIF State champion and three-time medalist who captured the NHSCA Senior National Championship and earned multiple national honors before becoming a three-time NCAA Division I All-American at Oklahoma.

Together, these eight wrestlers accounted for 28 NCAA Division I All-American honors, providing a remarkable demonstration of sustained collegiate excellence.

Two-Time NCAA Division I All-Americans

The next group consists of wrestlers who earned NCAA Division I All-American honors twice.

Their paths varied considerably, but each demonstrated the ability to reach the NCAA podium repeatedly.

Among them were Laurence Jackson, a three-time CIF State champion who became a two-time All-American at Oklahoma State and CSU Bakersfield; Darryl Vasquez, California’s first four-time CIF State champion and a two-time All-American at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; and Nick Nevills, a three-time CIF State champion and four-time medalist who became a two-time All-American at Penn State.

The group also includes Anthony Valencia, a three-time CIF State champion and four-time medalist who became a two-time All-American at Arizona State; Casey Strand, a two-time CIF State champion who became a two-time All-American at Arizona State; and Harlan Kistler, a CIF State champion who became a two-time All-American at UCLA and Iowa.

Other two-time NCAA Division I All-Americans include Ruben DeLeon, Jackson Kistler, Gary Fisher, Lindley Kistler, Sylvester Carver, Lou Montano, Marvin Jones, Vince Silva, Darryl Pope, Alex Tirapelle, Coby Wright, Chad Mendes, Izzak Olejnik, Chris Mecate, Eric Mittlestead, Ryan Flores, Richard Bailey, Brett Columbini, Trey Munoz, Alfred Castro, Scott Sakaguchi, Joe Baker, Yero Washington, Clint Wattenberg, David Jones, Stan Greene, Ricky Alcala, Matt Sanchez, Perry Shea, Eddie Baza, and Franc Affentranger.

Several careers are particularly revealing.

Lindley Kistler was a two-time CIF medalist but never won a state title.

Sylvester Carver was a CIF bronze medalist who progressed through Chabot College before reaching two NCAA Division I All-American podiums.

Marvin Jones was only a CIF State qualifier, yet became an NCAA Division II champion before ultimately becoming a two-time NCAA Division I All-American.

Several others followed developmental pathways through community college or NCAA Division II before reaching the Division I podium.

Perry Shea and Franc Affentranger are particularly notable examples of wrestlers whose collegiate careers evolved across multiple levels before reaching Division I All-American status.

These careers reinforce one of the central principles of this project: the path to collegiate excellence was not always direct.

One-Time NCAA Division I All-Americans

The one-time NCAA Division I All-American category reveals perhaps the greatest depth in the TIER 3 population.

These wrestlers represent a wide range of high-school backgrounds, from dominant CIF State champions to state medalists, qualifiers, and wrestlers who did not qualify for the state tournament.

CIF State Champions Who Became NCAA Division I All-Americans

Among the most accomplished high-school wrestlers in this group are Bryce Hammond, Jaden Abas, Angelo Posada, Aaron Nagao, Paul Fox, Brock Mantanona, Cody Merrill, and Beau Mantanona.

Their high-school credentials range from CIF State championships to multiple state medals, while their national résumés include Fargo championships, Junior and Cadet All-American honors, NHSCA championships, and international age-group success.

Beau Mantanona — Palm Desert, Southern, 2023

Beau Mantanona emerged as one of California’s premier wrestlers during the final years of his high-school career. A 2023 CIF State champion and three-time state medalist, Mantanona demonstrated exceptional consistency at the state level, finishing third, second, and first during his three medal-winning appearances.

His accomplishments extended well beyond the CIF State Championships. Mantanona was a two-time 16U Fargo All-American in freestyle and Greco-Roman, a Junior Fargo freestyle All-American and finalist, a Wrestling USA Magazine All-American, and a Cadet Folkstyle All-American. He also captured the Doc Buchanan Championship twice, won the Super 32 Championship, became a WHO’s #1 winner, and received the prestigious Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.

At the University of Michigan, Mantanona continued that trajectory against the nation’s best collegiate wrestlers, ultimately becoming an NCAA Division I All-American.

Mantanona’s career provides another strong example of the caliber of wrestler represented within TIER 3: a California state champion whose high-school résumé demonstrated national-level excellence and who successfully carried that development into Division I wrestling.

The category also includes numerous other CIF State champions who went on to become NCAA Division I All-Americans, including:

Ed Mosley, Nicco Ruiz, Eric Osborne, Nikko Triggas, Terry Watts, Lorenzo Neal, Josh Hokit, Dane Valdez, Clayton Jack, Scott Heaton, Todd Schavrien, Wade Sauer, Christian Pagdilao, Marcio Botelho, Brandon Halsey, Billy Blunt, MJ Gaitan, Jeff Barksdale, and Andrew Sparks.

Their collegiate destinations included programs such as Harvard, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Ohio State, Fresno State, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona State, CSU Bakersfield, Iowa State, Oregon State, Minnesota, and others.

But the more significant finding is what comes next.

CIF State Medalists Who Became NCAA Division I All-Americans

Not every future NCAA Division I All-American was a CIF State champion.

Flo Rocha — Bakersfield, Central, 1973

Flo Rocha represents an important example of a California wrestler whose collegiate career crossed competitive levels before reaching NCAA Division I All-American status.

A 1973 CIF State bronze medalist, Rocha first established himself at CSU Bakersfield as an NCAA Division II national champion and two-time All-American. He subsequently reached the NCAA Division I podium as an NCAA Division I All-American, demonstrating the developmental value of California’s early collegiate wrestling infrastructure.

Manny Rivera — Rosemead, Southern, 2003

Manny Rivera was a CIF State bronze medalist whose high-school résumé also included an NHSCA Senior High School National Championship, along with All-American recognition from NHSCA, Amateur Wrestling News, and Wrestling USA Magazine.

At the University of Minnesota, Rivera continued that progression to become an NCAA Division I All-American.

Branson John — Buchanan, Central, 2024

Branson John finished third at the CIF State Championships before continuing his career at the University of Maryland. There, he reached the NCAA Division I All-American level, adding another example of a California state medalist who successfully transitioned to one of collegiate wrestling’s highest competitive stages.

Matt Gibson — Jesse Bethel, Sac-Joaquin, 2008

Matt Gibson finished third at CIF State before taking a developmental route through Sierra College.

He became a 3C2A State champion and All-American at the junior-college level before advancing to Iowa State, where he became an NCAA Division I All-American.

His career illustrates how the community-college pathway can serve as an important bridge to Division I success.

Adam Cohen — Archbishop Riordan, CCS, 1979

Adam Cohen was a 1979 CIF State bronze medalist who continued his wrestling career at Arizona State, where he reached the NCAA Division I All-American level.

Donald Brown — Oakland HS, Oakland, 1976

Donald Brown was a 1976 CIF State bronze medalist who continued to the University of Oregon, where he became an NCAA Division I All-American.

Alfred Gutierrez — Redwood HS, Central, 1978

Alfred Gutierrez finished third at CIF State in 1978 before continuing his career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he reached the NCAA Division I All-American level.

Michael Grubbs — El Camino, San Diego, 1989

Michael Grubbs was a CIF State bronze medalist who continued to CSU Fullerton. There, he developed into an NCAA Division I All-American.

Derek Scott — Escalon, San Joaquin, 1991

Derek Scott finished third at the CIF State Championships before continuing his career at CSU Bakersfield, where he became an NCAA Division I All-American.

Joey Coughran — Calvary Chapel, Southern, 1993

Joey Coughran was a CIF State bronze medalist who continued to CSU Fullerton, ultimately reaching the NCAA Division I All-American level.

Cedrick Haymon — El Cajon, San Diego, 1996

Cedrick Haymon finished fourth at the CIF State Championships before continuing his career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he became an NCAA Division I All-American.

His career further illustrates why a wrestler’s state-tournament placement cannot be viewed as the sole predictor of future collegiate achievement.

CIF State Qualifiers Who Became NCAA Division I All-Americans

Perhaps the most revealing component of TIER 3 is the group of wrestlers whose high-school state-tournament results provide little indication of how successful they would ultimately become.

Jeff Golz — Royal, Southern, 1978

Jeff Golz qualified for the CIF State Championships but did not medal. At Ohio State, he developed into an NCAA Division I All-American, finishing eighth at the 1980 NCAA Championships.

Dave Brouhard — Salinas, CCS, 1977

Dave Brouhard also qualified for CIF State without earning a medal. At San Jose State, he became an NCAA Division I All-American, finishing eighth at the 1981 NCAA Championships at 177 pounds.

Mike Elliott — Fontana, Southern, 1976

Mike Elliott qualified for CIF State but did not medal before continuing to CSU Fullerton, where he became an NCAA Division I All-American.

Mike Haschak — Willits, Northern, 1976

Mike Haschak qualified for the 1976 CIF State Championships, placing him among California’s elite high-school wrestlers during the formative years of the state tournament.

His career is part of a larger historical pattern demonstrating how difficult it was simply to navigate California’s qualification system during this era.

Wrestlers Who Did Not Qualify for CIF State

Perhaps the most striking examples are those who did not qualify for the state tournament at all.

Raphael Davis — Torrance HS, Southern, 1994

Raphael Davis provides one of the clearest examples of the disconnect between high-school state-tournament results and collegiate success.

Davis did not qualify for the CIF State Championships, yet went on to become a 3C2A State champion and two-time All-American at Golden West College before continuing to CSU Bakersfield, where he reached the NCAA Division I All-American level.

Serge Mezheritsky — Birmingham, Los Angeles, 1988

Serge Mezheritsky likewise did not qualify for CIF State.

After becoming a 3C2A All-American at Moorpark College, he continued to Fresno State and ultimately reached the NCAA Division I All-American level.

These careers provide some of the most compelling evidence in the entire project.

The high-school state tournament identified elite California wrestlers—but it did not identify every future collegiate star.

Other One-Time NCAA Division I All-Americans

The historical depth continues with John Loomis, Zeth Romney, Liam Cronin, Chris Drouin, Mitch Monteiro, Ati Conner, Paul Gomez, Mike Erb, Jim Wilson, Ryan Loder, Beau Weiner, Chris DeLong, Moses Delfin, Brad Gustafson, Alfonso Tucker, and David Wells, all of whom reached the NCAA Division I All-American level.

John Loomis was a three-time CIF medalist who first became a two-time NCAA Division II All-American before reaching NCAA Division I All-American status.

Zeth Romney was a three-time CIF medalist, finishing fifth, third, and second, before becoming an NCAA Division I All-American at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Liam Cronin was a two-time CIF medalist who earned multiple Junior Fargo All-American honors and Pan American medals before becoming an NCAA Division I All-American at Nebraska.

Chris Drouin was a two-time CIF runner-up who became an All-American at Arizona State, while Mitch Monteiro followed two CIF medal finishes with an All-American career at CSU Bakersfield.

Several CIF State finalists also appear in this group, including Darrell Nerove, Pat O’Donnell, Jake Gaier, Gary Barios, and Greg Gascon.

The list also extends to wrestlers whose highest CIF State finishes were fourth or lower, including Tim Flynn, Harold Zinkin, Steve Baer, Vic Moreno, Efren Ceballos, Devan Turner, DeWayne Zinkin, Wayne Jones, and Mike Larson.

Jon Jay Chavez — A Particularly Unusual Developmental Path

Jon Jay Chavez provides another compelling example.

A seventh-place CIF State finisher, Chavez later became a two-time Idaho state champion, four-time Fargo champion, four-time Fargo All-American, and Cadet World bronze medalist in Greco-Roman before becoming an NCAA Division I All-American at Cornell.

His career demonstrates that development does not necessarily stop—or even peak—during a wrestler’s California high-school career.

From CIF State Achievement to NCAA All-American

The careers highlighted throughout this section provide a powerful historical reminder:

The CIF State medal podium was never the only indicator of future collegiate success.

Some athletes mature later.

Others benefit from collegiate coaching, strength development, expanded training opportunities, or a different competitive environment.

Still others continue progressing after high school against opponents they may not have encountered within California’s high-school system.

The developmental pathway can therefore be:

High School → Junior College → NCAA Division II → NCAA Division I

or:

High School → NCAA Division II → NCAA Division I

or simply:

High School → NCAA Division I

There is no single route to collegiate excellence.

The careers of Jesse Reyes, Flo Rocha, Marvin Jones, Perry Shea, Franc Affentranger, Matt Gibson, Raphael Davis, Serge Mezheritsky, Jeff Golz, and Dave Brouhard demonstrate that point particularly well.

Their paths were different, but the destination was remarkably similar:

the NCAA All-American podium.

What TIER 3 Reveals About California Wrestling

The sheer depth of TIER 3 may be one of the most important findings to emerge from the California Top 100 project.

California has produced an extraordinary number of wrestlers who went on to become collegiate All-Americans.

They came from every era of the CIF State Championships and from virtually every region of the state.

Some were dominant high-school champions.

Some were state finalists.

Some were state medalists.

Some were state qualifiers who never reached the podium.

And some did not qualify for CIF State at all.

Yet their collegiate careers brought them together at one of the highest levels of American wrestling.

That is precisely why TIER 3 should not be interpreted as a traditional ranking.

A wrestler placed in TIER 3 is not necessarily being identified as “lesser” than a wrestler in TIER 1 or TIER 2.

The tier identifies the highest level of achievement that places the wrestler within the project’s classification framework.

A multiple-time NCAA Division I All-American who did not reach the Senior World or Olympic level may have possessed tremendous ability and a career of extraordinary distinction.

Conversely, an international medalist may have achieved that distinction without winning a CIF State title or NCAA championship.

The purpose of the project is not to declare that one competitive level was inherently greater than another.

It is to identify and stratify the highest levels of accomplishment reached by California wrestlers across more than five decades of competition.

The goal is to organize a massive historical dataset according to meaningful levels of accomplishment, creating a manageable and defensible framework for identifying California’s most accomplished wrestlers since 1973.

A Broader View of Collegiate Excellence

The NCAA Division I wrestlers highlighted in this article represent only the first portion of the TIER 3 examination.

The subsequent articles will examine California’s accomplishments across:

• NCAA Division II
• NCAA Division III
• NAIA
• NJCAA — Junior College

Each competitive division will be evaluated on its own terms.

This distinction is particularly important because California’s wrestling history has been shaped by a broad collegiate ecosystem.

Programs such as CSU Bakersfield, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, San Jose State, Stanford, Chico State, and numerous community colleges have contributed significantly to the state’s wrestling legacy.

At the same time, California wrestlers have carried that tradition to programs throughout the country.

The resulting picture is much larger than a list of Division I All-Americans.

It is the story of a developmental pipeline.

High-school wrestling provides the foundation. Junior colleges, NCAA Division II, Division III, NAIA, and Division I programs provide different opportunities for continued development.

Some athletes remain at one level throughout their careers.

Others move between divisions as their careers evolve.

Each pathway has produced champions and All-Americans.

That broader perspective will be essential as TIER 3 is completed.

From High-School Achievement to Collegiate Excellence

Ultimately, TIER 3 reinforces one of the central principles of the California Top 100 project:

A wrestler’s high-school accomplishments tell only part of the story.

The CIF State Championships provide an important historical benchmark, but they cannot fully measure a wrestler’s long-term ability, development, or ultimate career achievement.

The careers represented in TIER 3 demonstrate that reality repeatedly.

California has produced NCAA champions who were CIF State champions.

It has produced NCAA champions who were state medalists.

It has produced NCAA All-Americans who finished outside the state podium.

And it has produced NCAA All-Americans who never qualified for the CIF State Championships.

That diversity of outcomes is not a weakness in the data.

It is one of the most compelling findings in the data.

TIER 3 therefore provides more than a collection of collegiate accomplishments.

It reveals the depth, diversity, and developmental resilience of California wrestling.

The project is not simply asking:

Who won the most high-school championships?

It is asking a much larger question:

Which California wrestlers, when their entire competitive careers are considered, reached the highest levels of achievement?

That requires looking beyond the CIF State podium.

It requires looking beyond a single season.

And, in many cases, it requires looking beyond high school altogether.

The Larger California Wrestling Story

The wrestlers represented in TIER 3 demonstrate that California’s wrestling legacy cannot be measured solely by its state champions.

The state’s true depth can be seen in the thousands of wrestlers who competed across generations—and particularly in those who continued developing after high school to reach the highest levels of collegiate competition.

Their journeys were not identical.

Some were state champions.

Some were state finalists.

Some were state medalists.

Some were state qualifiers.

Some did not qualify for CIF State.

Some traveled directly to Division I programs.

Others began at junior colleges or Division II institutions and continued climbing.

What they shared was an ability to continue developing when their high-school careers ended.

That is the significance of TIER 3.

It captures the point where the California wrestling story extends beyond the boundaries of the CIF State Championships and into the broader landscape of American collegiate wrestling.

The result is a remarkable picture of depth, development, persistence, and achievement.

And it reinforces one of the central lessons of this entire project:

The final measure of a wrestler’s career cannot always be found in where he finished in high school.

Sometimes, the most important chapters were still to come.

Next in Phase 2

The examination of TIER 3 — Collegiate-Level All-Americans will continue with separate articles examining:

• NCAA Division II
• NCAA Division III
• NAIA
• NJCAA — Junior College

Each article will apply the same overall TIER 3 philosophy while recognizing the unique competitive environment and historical significance of each collegiate division.

Together, these articles will provide a more complete picture of the collegiate pathways that have shaped California wrestling.

Because when the entire journey is considered, one conclusion becomes increasingly difficult to dispute:

California’s wrestling legacy extends far beyond the CIF State Championships.

The state has produced champions.

It has produced Olympians.

It has produced World medalists.

And it has produced an extraordinary depth of collegiate All-Americans across multiple divisions.

TIER 3 is where that depth becomes impossible to ignore.

The CIF State Championships may have been the beginning of the journey for many of these wrestlers—but for some, the greatest achievements were still waiting beyond the California state tournament.

NCAA Division I ALL-AMERICANS

145 – Marty Kistler (Notre Dame, S), 1981

• 2x CIF State Champion | 4x State Finalist (2,1,1,1)
• Junior National Champion (GR)
• 2x NCAA Division I Champion/OW | 3x All-American (University of Iowa)

160 – Isaiah Martinez (Lemoore, CS), 2013

• 3x CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (3,1,1,1)
• Junior Fargo National Champion (FS) | 2x All-American (FS/GR)
• Cadet Fargo National Champion (GR) | 2x All-American (FS/GR)
• FLO National Champion | 2x All-American
• 2x ASICS All-American – Second | Third Team 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American/Academic Team
• 2x NCAA Division I National Champion | 4x All-American (University of Illinois)

145 – Chris Pendleton (Lemoore, CS), 2000

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (4,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• 2x NCAA Division I National Champion | 3x All-American (Oklahoma State)

125 – Jesse Delgado (Gilroy, CC), 2010

• CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (3,3,1,4)
• NHSCA Senior National Champion | All-American
• 2x Cadet Fargo All-American (FS)
• Doc B Invitational Champion
• NHSCA Soph National Champion | All-American
• ASICS All-American (HM) 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA All-American
• 2x NCAA Division I Champion | 3x All-American (University of Illinois)

112 – Dan Cuestas (Merced HS, SJ), 1977

• 2x CIF State Champion 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• Amateur Wrestling News H.S. All-American 
• 2x NCAA Division II Champion | 2x All-American (CSU Bakersfield)
• 2x NCAA Division I Champion | 2x All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

195 – Eric Wais (Woodland HS, SJ), 1976

• 2x CIF State Champion 
• 3x Junior Nationals All-American (FS/GR)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• Amateur Wrestling News H.S. All-American 
• NCAA Division I Champion | 3x All-American (Oklahoma State)

167 – David Lee (Bella Vista, SJ), 1984

• 3x CIF State Champion (first to achieve this honor)
• Junior National Champion (FS) | 2x All-American (FS/GR)
• NCAA Division I Champion | 3x All-American (Stanford/University of Wisconsin)

140 – Adam Tirapelle (Hiram Johnson, SJ/Buchanan, CS), 1996

• 2x CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (2,1,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS National Champion
• 2x ASICS All-American (HM) | Third Team 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• 2x Cadet All-American (FS/GR)
• 2x Junior All-American (FS/GR)
• NCAA Division I National Champion | 3x All-American (University of Illinois)

189 – Mark Munoz (Vallejo, SJ), 1996

• 2x CIF State Champion
• NHSCA Senior HS National Champion | All-American
• 2x ASICS All-American (HM) | First Team 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• Junior Fargo All-American (FS)
• FILA Junior World Silver Medalist (FS)
• NCAA Division I Champion | 2x All-American (Oklahoma State)

113 – Richard Figueroa (Selma, CS), 2020

• 3x State Champion 
• David Schultz H.S. Excellence Award (NWHOF)
• Junior Fargo National Champion (FS)
• 16U Fargo All-American (FS)
• Cadet World Silver Medalist (FR)
• NCAA Division I Champion | All-American (Arizona State)

138 – Steve Barrett (Miraleste HS, S), 1973

• CIF State Champion
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• NCAA Division I Champion | 3x All-American (Oklahoma State)

175 – Fred Bohna (Clovis HS, CS), 1974

• CIF State Champion 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (HM)
• Junior Nationals All-American (FS)
• NCAA Division I Champion | All-American (UCLA)

119 – Derek Moore (Shasta, N), 2002 

• 2x CIF State Medalist (7,5)
• Cadet All-American (GR)
• NCAA Division I National Champion/OW | All-American (UC Davis)

126 – Aden Valencia (Sobrato, CC), 2022

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• Junior Fargo All-American (FS)
• 16U Fargo All-American (FS)
• 2x Age-Group World Champion (FS/GR)
• NCAA Division I Champion | All-American (Stanford)

127 – Jesse Reyes (Bakersfield, CS), 1979

• DID NOT QUALIFY TO CIF STATE
• 2x NCAA Division II Champion |All-American (CSU Bakerfield)
• NCAA Division I Champion | 3x All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

132 – Gerry Abas (Oakland Tech., O), 1990

• 2x CIF State Medalist (2,3)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• Junior National Champion (FS)
• 4x NCAA Division I All-American | 3x Finalist (Fresno State)

132 – Kyle Parco (De La Salle, NC), 2019

• CIF State Champion
• Junior Fargo National Champion (GR)
• Cadet Folkstyle All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• 4x NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State/Arizona St.)

152 – Evan Wick (San Marino, S), 2016

• CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (5,4,1)
• 2x Junior Fargo All-American
• ASICS All-American – HM 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• Cadet Folkstyle National Champion | 2x All-American 
• 4x NCAA Division I All-American (Wisconsin/Cal Poly, SLO)

145 – Bernie Truax (Rancho Buena Vista, SD), 2018

• 2x CIF State Medalist (2,3)
• Junior Folkstyle All-American
• Fargo All-American (16U GR)
• 4x NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO/Penn State)

130 – Nathan Morgan (Bakersfield, CS), 2004

• 3x CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (2,1,1,1)
• Cadet All-American (FS)
• Junior All-American (FS)
• 3x ASICS All-American First | Second | Third Teams 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American (First Team)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• 3x NCAA Division I All-American (Oklahoma State)

189 – Morgan McIntosh (Calvary Chapel, S), 2011

• 3x CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (5,1,1,1)
• 2x FLO National Champion (OW)
• 2x Junior National Champion (FS)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American (First Team) 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team) 
• 3x ASICS All-American – First Team | HM
• 3x NCAA Division I All-American (Penn State)

160 – Jason Welch (Las Lomas, NC), 2008

• 3x CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (2,1,1,1)
• Cadet All-American (FS)
• Junior All-American (FS)
• 3x ASICS All-American (HM) | First Team (2x)
• Walsh Ironman Champion
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American (First Team)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• 3x NCAA Division I All-American (Northwestern)

120 – Shane Valdez (Calvary Chapel, S), 1994

• CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (2,2,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS National Champion 
• ASICS All-American Second Team 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Academic Team)
• Cadet All-American (GR)
• 2x Junior All-American (FS)
• 3x NCAA Division I All-American (University of Oklahoma)

133 – Laurence Jackson (Santa Monica, S), 1986

• 3x CIF State Champion 
• 3x Junior National Champion (FS/GR) | 5x All-American (FS/GR)
• ASICS All-American (First Team) 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Oklahoma St./CSU Bakersfield)

125 – Darryl Vasquez (Bakersfield, CS), 2002

• 4x CIF State Champion (first to achieve this feat)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• 3x ASICS All-American Second | Third Teams (2x)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

HWT – Nick Nevills (Clovis, CS), 2014

• 3x CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (1,3,1,1)
• FLO National Champion | 2x All-American
• ASICS All-American – First Team | HM 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Penn State)

170 – Anthony Valencia (St. John Bosco, S), 2015

• 3x CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (1,2,1,1)
• FLO National Champion
• 2x Fargo Junior All-American (FS/GR)
• Cadet Fargo National Champion (FS) | 2x All-American (FS/GR)
• 2x Junior Folkstyle All-American 
• Cadet Fargo All-American 
• 2x ASICS All-American – Second Team | HM 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American (Second Team) 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team) 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Arizona State)

189 – Casey Strand (College Park, NC), 1994

• 2x State Champion | 3x Medalist (2,1,1)
• ASICS All-American (HM)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• Junior National Champion | 2x All-American (FS/GR)
• Dapper Dan USA Team Member
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Arizona State)

112 – Harlan Kistler (Notre Dame HS, S), 1978

• CIF State Champion | 2x State Medalist (3,1)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• Junior Nationals All-American (Greco)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (UCLA/University of Iowa)

103 – Ruben DeLeon (Chaffey, S), 1995

• CIF State Champion |2x Medalist (3,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• ASICS All-American Second Team 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Cadet All-American (FS)
• 2x Junior All-American (FS)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

120 – Jackson Kistler (Notre Dame HS, S), 1977

• CIF State Champion | 2x State Medalist (5,1)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Arizona State)

103 – Gary Fisher (Dos Pueblos HS, S), 1976

• CIF State Champion 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (HM)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

133 – Lindley Kister (Notre Dame, S), 1980

• 2x CIF State Medalist (3,3) 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (University of Iowa)

154 – Sylvester Carver (Encinal, NC), 1979

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• 2x 3C2A All-American (Chabot CC)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

145 – Lou Montano (Calexico HS, S), 1978

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• 2x NCAA DI All-American | Finalist (Cal Poly, SLO)

167 – Marvin Jones (Santa Ana Valley, S), 1981

• State Qualifier
• NCAA Division II National Champion | All-American (CSU Bakersfield)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield / San Jose State)

138 – Vince Silva (Santa Maria, S), 1982

• 4^th CIF State 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Oklahoma State)

155 – Darryl Pope (Escalon, SJ), 1982 

• CIF State Champion 
• 2x NCAA Division II National Champion | All-American (CSU Bakersfield)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American | Finalist (CSU Bakersfield)

140 – Alex Tirapelle (Clovis, CS), 2001

• 3x CIF State Champion 
• NHSCA Senior HS National Champion 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• ASICS All-American First Team 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American | Finalist (University of Illinois)

103 – Coby Wright (Bakersfield, CS), 1992

• CIF State Champion 
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

119 – Chad Mendes (Hanford, CS), 2003

• 3x CIF State Medalist (8,5,3)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• Cadet All-American (GR)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American | Finalist (Cal Poly, SLO)

145 – Izzak Olejnik (Bakersfield, CS), 2018

• 2x CIF State Medalist (6,4)
• 2x Cadet Fargo All-American (FS/GR)
• 3x Cadet Folkstyle All-American
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Northern Illinois/Oklahoma State)

135 – Chris Mecate (Redlands East Valley, S), 2011

• CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (6,5,1)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• NHSCA Senior All-American 
• ASICS All-American (HM)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Old Dominion)

191 – Eric Mittlestead (Branham, CC), 1983

• 2x Junior All-America (FS/GR)
• NCAA Division II National Champion | All-American (CSU Bakersfield)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

215 – Ryan Flores (Buchanan, CS), 2007

• 2x CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (5,1,1)
• Cadet All-American (FS)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Academic Team)
• 2x ASICS All-American Second Team | (HM)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (American University)

126 – Richard Bailey (Monte Vista, CC | Valhalla, SD), 1985

• 3x CIF State Medalist (4,2,2)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

175 – Brett Columbini (Ukiah, NC), 1990

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (3,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Minnesota)

170 – Trey Munoz (Trabuco Hills, S), 2019

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (2,1)
• Junior Folkstyle All-American
• Cadet Folkstyle All-American
• ASICS All-American (HM) 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Oregon State)

120 – Alfred Castro (Coachella Valley, S), 1983

• CIF State Champion | 2x CIF State Medalist (1,3) 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Utah State)

145 – Scott Sakaguchi (Clovis, CS), 2009

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (5,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American
• NHSCA Junior HS All-American
• ASICS All-American (HM)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Oregon State)

119 – Joe Baker (Poway, SD), 2003

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (4,1)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (U.S. Naval Academy)

130 – Yero Washington (Porterville, CS), 1992

• CIF State Champion
• 3C2A State Champion | All-American (Fresno City)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

152 – Clint Wattenberg (Pleasant Valley, N), 1998

• 2x CIF State Medalist (3,2)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Cadet All-American (GR)
• Junior All-American (GR)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Cornell University)

HWT – David Jones (Montclair, S), 1986

• CIF State Medalist (2^nd)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Fullerton)

112 – Stan Greene (Clovis, CS), 1994

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• Cadet All-American (FS)
• 3C2A State Champion | All-American (Fresno City CC)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

HWT – Ricky Alcala (Arvin, CS), 2006

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Indiana University)

119 – Matt Sanchez (Bellarmine Prep, CC), 2000

• CIF State Medalist (8^th)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

133 – Perry Shea (Bellflower HS, S), 1977

• CIF State Qualifier 
• 3C2A State Champion | All-American (Cerritos College)
• 2x NCAA Division DII Champion | 2x All-American (CSU Bakersfield)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American |Finalist (CSU Bakersfield)

127 – Eddie Baza (Fremont HS, CC), 1978 

• State Qualifier
• 2x NCAA DI All-American (San Jose State)

133 – Franc Affentranger (Shafter, CS), 1974

• CIF State Qualifier
• NCAA Division II National Champion | 2x All-American 
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

160 – Bryce Hammond (Bakersfield, CS), 2011

• 2x CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (4,1,1)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American – First Team 
• NHSCA Senior National Champion | All-American
• NHSCA Soph National Champion 
• Cadet Fargo All-American (FS)
• ASICS All-American – Second Team 
• Doc B Invitational Champion 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team) 
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

145 – Jaden Abas (Frontier, CS/Rancho Bernardo, SD), 2019

• 2x CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (2,3,1,1)
• Junior Fargo All-American (FS)
• Cadet Fargo All-American (FS)
• NHSCA Frosh All-American
• 2x ASICS All-American – Third Team | HM
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American (Second Team) 
• NCAA Division I All-American (Stanford)

215 – Angelo Posada (Poway, SD), 2025

• 2x State Champion | 4x State Medalist (5,3,1,1)
• 16U Fargo All-American (GR)
• Junior Fargo National Champion | 4x All-American (FS/GR)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Stanford)

132 – Aaron Nagao (Esperanza, S), 2020

• 2x CIF State Champion | 4x State Medalist (5,2,1,1)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Penn State)

152 – Paul Fox (Gilroy, CC), 2014 

• CIF State Champion | 4x Medalist (8,2,2,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS National Champion | All-American
• FLO Nationals All-American
• NHSCA Frosh National Champion 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• NCAA Division I All-American (Stanford)

150 – Brock Mantanona (Palm Desert, S), 2024

• 2x State Champion | 3x State Medalist (1,2,1)
• 16U Fargo National Champion | 2x All-American (FS)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American (Dream Team)
• 2x Doc Buchanan Champion
• Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award 
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Michigan)

285 – Cody Merrill (Gilroy, CC), 2024

• 2x State Champion | 3x State Medalist (1,2,1)
• 16U Fargo National Champion | 2x All-American (FS/GR)
• 2x Junior Fargo National Champion/All-America (FS)
• U17 World Bronze Medalist (FS)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Oklahoma State)

160 – Ed Mosley (Calvary Chapel, S), 1995

• 2x CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (6,1,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American
• 2x ASICS All-American Third Team (2x)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• Junior National Champion | 2x All-American (FS)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Harvard)

160 – Nicco Ruiz (St. John Bosco, S), 2023

• 2x State Champion | 3x State Medalist (3,1,1)
• 16U Fargo All-Americans (GR)
• 2x Junior Fargo All-American (FS)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Arizona State)

175 – Eric Osborne (South Hills, S), 1983

• 2x CIF State Champion 
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

152 – Beau Mantanona (Palm Desert, S), 2023

• CIF State Champion | 3x State Medalist (3,2,1)
• 2x 16U Fargo All-American (FS/GR)
• Junior Fargo All-American/Finalist (FS)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• Cadet Folkstyle All-American 
• 2x Doc Buchanan Champion 
• Super 32 Champion
• WHO’s #1 Winner 
• Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Michigan)

119 – Nikko Triggas (Campolindo, NC), 2007

• CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (2,3,1)
• 2x Junior National Champion | 4x All-American (FS/GR)
• Cadet National Champion | 3x All-American (FS/GR)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• 2x ASICS All-American Third Team | (HM)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Ohio State)

145 – Terry Watts (Caruthers, CS), 1989

• CIF State Champions | 3x State Medalist (3,2,1)
• ASICS All-American (HM)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

HWT – Lorenzo Neal (Lemoore, CS), 1989

• CIF State Champion | 3x State Medalist (4,2,1)
• 2x Junior All-American (FS/GR)
• ASICS All-American (Second Team) 
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

182 – Josh Hokit (Clovis, CS), 2016

• CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (5,2,1)
• FLO Nationals All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

127 – Dane Valdez (Calvary Chapel, S), 1994

• CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (8,1,3)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American
• 2x ASICS All-American (HM)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• 3x Junior All-American (FS)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Oklahoma)

HWT – Clayton Jack (Vacaville, SJ), 2007 

• CIF State Champion | 3x Medalist (8,5,1)
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• NCAA Division I All-American (Oregon State)

145 – Scott Heaton (San Luis Obispo HS, S), 1976

• CIF State Champion | 2x State Medalist (2,1)
• Amateur Wrestling News H.S. All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

125 – Todd Schavrien (Poway, SD), 2006

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (3,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American
• ASICS All-American (HM)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• FILA Junior National Champion
• Big 12 Champion
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Missouri)

HWT – Wade Sauer (Nevada Union, SJ), 2004

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (3,1)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Fullerton)

145 – Christian Pagdilao (Santago, S), 2013

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (5,1)
• FLO National Champion | All-American
• NHSCA Frosh All-American
• ASICS All-American (HM) 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (Arizona State)

215 – Marcio Botelho (Lemoore, CS), 2000

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (7,1)
• ASICS All-American (HM)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

215 – Brandon Halsey (Rancho Buena Vista, SD), 2004

• CIF State Champion | 2x Medalist (7,1)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• 2x Cadet All-American (FS/GR)
• 2x Junior National Champion (FS/GR)
• ASICS All-American (HM)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

HWT – Billy Blunt (Grace Davis, SJ), 1996

• CIF State Champion 
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• ASICS All-American (HM)
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Junior National Champion | 3x All-American (FS/GR)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

160 – MJ Gaitan (Temecula Valley, S), 2022

• CIF State Champion
• Junior Fargo National Champion | All-American (GR)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Iowa State)

133 – Jeff Barksdale (Chaffey HS, S), 1978

• CIF State Champion 
• Amateur Wrestling News H.S. All-American 
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

160 – Andrew Sparks (Calvary Chapel, S), 2020

• CIF State Champion 
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Minnesota)

133 – John Loomis (Bella Vista, SJ) 1982

• 3x CIF State Medalist (4,3,3) 
• 2x NCAA Division II All-American 
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

126 – Zeth Romney (Chaminade, S), 2022

• 3x State Medalist (5,3,2)
• 16U Fargo All-Americans (GR)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

113 – Liam Cronin (Servite, S), 2016

• 2x CIF State Medalist (2,2)
• 3x Junior Fargo All-American
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American
• Pan American Gold Medalist (FS)
• Pan American Bronze Medalist (FS)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Nebraska)

135 – Chris Drouin (Chaparral, S), 2006

• 2x CIF State Medalist (2,2)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Arizona State)

189 – Mitch Monteiro (Paso Robles, S), 2004

• 2x CIF State Medalist (3,2)
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

152 – Ati Conner (Dos Pueblos, S), 1996

• 2x CIF State Medalist (6,2)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American
• 3C2A All-American (Moorpark CC)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Nebraska)

112 – Paul Gomez (North Monterey Co., CC), 1995

• 2x CIF State Medalist (7,2)
• 2x Cadet All-American (FS/GR)
• NJCAA National Champion | All-American (Lassen CC)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Nebraska)

112 – Mike Erb (Cupertino, CC), 1978

• 2x CIF State Medalist (4,3)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Oregon)

160 – Jim Wilson (McNair, SJ), 2012

• 2x CIF State Medalist (4,3)
• Junior Fargo All-American (GR)
• NHSCA Soph National Champion
• NHSCA Frosh All-American
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (Stanford)

189 – Ryan Loder (Granite Bay, SJ), 2009

• 2x CIF State Medalist (6,5)
• Cadet All-American (FS)
• Junior All-American (FS)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• NHSCA Junior HS All-American 
• NHSCA Sophomore HS All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American 
• NCAA Division I All-American (Northern Iowa)

145 – Beau Weiner (Ponderosa, SJ), 1994

• 2x CIF State Medalist (8,3)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Stanford)

138 – Chris Delong (Kennedy, S), 1979

• 2x CIF State Medalist (4,3)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

160 – Jim Wilson (McNair, SJ), 2011

• 2x CIF State Medalist (4,4)
• Cadet Fargo All-American (FS)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Stanford)

103 – Moses Delfin (Fallbrook/Rancho BV, SD), 1995

• 2x CIF State Medalist (6,3) 
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

112 – Brad Gustafson (Saratoga, CC), 1980

• 2x CIF State Medalist (6,5)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Brigham Young)

152 – Alfonso Tucker (Hoover, CS), 1992

• 2x CIF State Medalist (7,7)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

140 – David Wells (El Modena, S), 1994

• 2x CIF State Medalist (8,6)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

98 – Darrell Nerove (Foothill-Bakersfield, CS), 1982

• CIF State Medalist (2^nd)
• Junior National All-American (GR)
• NCAA Division I All-American (West Point)

133 – Pat O’Donnell (Pacific Grove, CC), 1978

• CIF State Medalist (2^nd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

145 – Jake Gaier (Granite Hills, SD), 1989

• CIF State Medalist (2^nd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

119 – Gary Barios (Tracy, SJ), 1981

• CIF State Medalist (2^nd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Arizona State)

112 – Greg Gascon (Western, S), 1983

• CIF State Medalist (2^nd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of New Mexico)

165 – Flo Rocha (Bakersfield, CS), 1973

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NCAA Division II National Champion | 2x All-American (CSU Bakersfield)
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

125 – Manny Rivera (Rosemead, S), 2003

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NHSCA Senior HS National Champion | All-American
• Amateur Wrestling News All-American 
• Wrestling USA Magazine All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Minnesota) 

175 – Branson John (Buchanan, CS), 2024

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Maryland)

HWT – Matt Gibson (Jesse Bethel, SJ), 2008

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• 3C2A State Champion | All-American (Sierra CC)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Iowa State)

98 – Adam Cohen (Riordan, CC), 1979

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Arizona State)

175 – Donald Brown (Oakland HS, O), 1976

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Oregon)

103 – Alfred Gutierrez (Redwood HS, CS), 1978

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

112 – Michael Grubbs (El Camino, SD), 1989

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Fullerton)

171 – Derek Scott (Escalon, SJ), 1991

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

130 – Joey Coughran (Calvary Chapel, S), 1993

• CIF State Medalist (3^rd)
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Fullerton)

119 – Cedrick Haymon (El Cajon, SD), 1996

• CIF State Medalist (4^th)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

112 – Mike Erb (Monte Vista, CC), 1977

• CIF State Medalist (4^th)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Oregon) 

98 – Tim Flynn (Vista, SD), 1981

• CIF State Medalist (4^th)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Penn State)

98 – Harold Zinkin (Bullard, CS), 1987

• CIF State Medalist (4^th)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

105 – Steve Baer (Agoura, S), 1990

• CIF State Medalist (4^th)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Nebraska)

112 – Vic Moreno (Escalon, SJ), 2000

• CIF State Medalist (4^th)
• 2x NCAA Division I All-American (Cal Poly, SLO)

119 – Efren Ceballos (Manteca, SJ), 2000

• CIF State Medalist (4^th)
• NHSCA Senior HS All-American 
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

126 – Devan Turner (Dixon, SJ), 2016

• CIF State Medalist (5^th)
• NHSCA Junior National Champion | All-American
• NCAA Division I All-American (Oregon State)

126 – DeWayne Zinkin (Bullard, CS), 1989

• CIF State Medalist (6^th)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

103 – Wayne Jones (Alisal, CC), 1978

• CIF State Medalist (6^th)
• NCAA Division I All-American (San Jose State)

189 – Mike Larson (McKinleyville, NC), 2008

• CIF State Medalist (7^th)
• NCAA Division I All-American (University of Missouri)

132 – Jon Jay Chavez (De La Salle, NC), 2012

• CIF State Medalist (7^th)
• 2x Idaho State Champion (Centennial HS)
• 4x Fargo National Champion | 4x All-American
• Cadet World Bronze (GR)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Cornell)

HWT – Jeff Golz (Royal, S), 1978

• CIF State Qualifier
• NCAA Division I All-American (Ohio State)

177 – Dave Brouhard (Salinas, CCS), 1977

• CIF State Qualifier
• NCAA Division I All-American (San Jose State)

HWT – Mike Haschak (Willits, NC), 1976

• CIF State Qualifier
• NCAA Division I All-American (UCLA)

115 – Mike Elliott (Fontana, S), 1976

• CIF State Qualifier
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Fullerton)

197 – Raphael Davis (Torrance HS, S), 1994

• DID NOT QUALIFY TO CIF STATE
• 3C2A State Champion | 2x All-American (Golden West CC)
• NCAA Division I All-American (CSU Bakersfield)

138 – Serge Mezheritsky (Birmingham, LA), 1988

• DID NOT QUALIFY TO CIF STATE
• 3C2A All-American (Moorpark CC)
• NCAA Division I All-American (Fresno State)

NOTE: A Little Clarification on the California Top 100 Wrestling Project

Based on several comments on this post, I think it is important to clarify how the California Top 100 Wrestlers project is being developed—particularly why some outstanding wrestlers may not yet appear in a particular TIER.

The question that started this project came from a recent Simple Man Wrestling Podcast: “Who are the top 100 wrestlers in California wrestling history?”

It sounds like a simple question. It isn’t.

To tackle it as objectively and historically as possible, I consolidated more than 50 years of California wrestling data—from the first CIF State Wrestling Championships in 1973 through today—and began statistically stratifying a very large database of wrestlers and their accomplishments into four TIERS.

Most importantly, the TIER system is not a ranking system. TIER 1 is not necessarily “better” than TIER 3. The purpose of the TIER structure is to organize and stratify an exceptionally large pool of wrestlers based on the highest levels of achievement they reached.

Here is the basic framework:

TIER 1 — Senior-Level International Medalists
Wrestlers who earned a medal at the highest levels of international competition, including the Olympic Games, Senior World Championships, World Cup, and other recognized senior-level international disciplines.

TIER 2 — Olympic & Senior-Level World Team Members
Wrestlers who made an Olympic Team—including Olympic alternates—or a Senior World Team, but did not earn a medal at those levels.

TIER 3 — Collegiate All-Americans
Wrestlers who achieved All-American status at one or more of the five collegiate levels: NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, or NJCAA, but did not advance to an Olympic or Senior World Team.

TIER 4 — High School & National-Level Standouts
Wrestlers whose accomplishments were primarily at the high school and national levels, including exceptional CIF State, national tournament, and other significant achievements, but who did not go on to earn collegiate or senior-level international recognition.

There is another important point: this project is still being built. I am working through well over 100 pages of wrestlers and documented accomplishments accumulated over decades of following, researching, and writing about California wrestling. With a database this large, it is entirely possible that I have overlooked a wrestler, missed an accomplishment, or placed someone in the wrong TIER.

That is where your input matters.

If you believe a wrestler has been overlooked or deserves consideration for a different TIER, please let me know. Constructive input, supporting information, and historical documentation are all welcome. The goal is not to prove that my first assessment is correct—the goal is to make the final California Top 100 as historically accurate, comprehensive, and defensible as possible.

I encourage everyone interested in California wrestling history to visit Simple Man Wrestling and follow the complete series.

To date, I have published articles covering TIER 1 and TIER 2, with additional articles on TIER 3 and TIER 4forthcoming.

This is a massive undertaking—but California wrestling has produced an extraordinary number of great wrestlers, and they deserve to be properly recognized.

Follow me on X @Coach_Al_1984 | on Instagram @tier_one_idaho | on Facebook @TIER1 WRESTLING