Page 11 - Mid Valley Times 10-29-20 E-edition

Loss of Bulldogs wrestling 'heartbreaking' to Saenz
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Nursing injuries, Cropper, Mosby see limited action in Bulldog opener
MVT Staff Report
The impending loss of Fresno State’s wrestling program for a second time is a tough blow to someone with close ties to the pro- gram — Orange Cove High School wrestling coach and teacher Pablo Saenz.
The Orange Cove native and Reedley High product placed sixth at the CIF State Meet at 103 pounds in 1980, then had a success- ful three-year career at 118 pounds for the Bulldogs from 1983-85. He went 86-13, winning the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championship in ‘85, and his .867 win percentage is fifth best in school history.’
Saenz said he was “heartbroken” when he learned the news about the program’s pending elimi- nation. He understands the impact COVID-19 has had on college athletic pro- grams’ financial status, but still is disappointed in Fresno State’s decision to drop wrestling after this upcoming season.
“As an alum, I wish the school would have given us a chance to save the program before we lost it again,” he said. “As presi- dent of the Takedown Club, boosters for FSU Wres- tling, we are looking into what we can do at this point
to not lose the program.” Saenz said he is working with coach Troy Steiner on what options the program
can take.
“Knowing that they let
us have the 2020-21 season gives us hope,” he said.
Sanger High products could see more action in tonight's home game against Colorado State
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Jacob Wright, a redshirt junior from Dinuba and one of the Bulldogs’ top return- ing wrestlers for 2021, said in a text to The Times that he and the program were “completely blindsided” by the university’s action. He will compete unattached this season for the Bulldogs (not losing
eligibil-
ity), then
enter the
transfer
portal for
his final
two years
of colle-
giate eli-
gibility.
“I am completely disap- pointed in the university, I loved competing for the Red Wave and I love the community,” Wright said in the text. “So I am hurt- ing for my teammates and my coaches, but most of all this community!”
Wright went 51-25 in two season, 24-9 in 2019-20 while placing fifth at 157 pounds in the Big 12 Cham- pionship.
By Rick Curiel
Mid Valley Times
It wasn’t the show- ing that Sanger natives and the Bulldog faithful were hoping for as Fres- no State football kicked off on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a 34-19 loss to Ha- waii at Bulldog Stadium.
Two Valley products, Sanger High’s Arron Mosby and Jalen Crop- per, saw only limited plays during the Bull- dogs’ season opener as both are reportedly re- covering from recent setbacks caused by in- juries.
According to new Fresno State Head Coach Kalen DeBoer, Cropper had tweaked his ankle prior to Sat- urday’s season opener. Though he was on the field for more than half of Fresno State’s offen- sive plays, Cropper fin-
ished the game with only two catches for 21 yards. But DeBoer said Cropper is coming along well in recovering from his injury and was a full- go during practice this
week.
“We want to get him
involved more,” said De- Boer of the wide receiv- er from Parlier. “He’s an explosive player and certainly when you look and talk as a staff on Sunday, that’s one of the guys that always needs to make sure he’s part of the plan and that plan is executed.”
As for Sanger High grad Arron Mosby, the linebacker has been dealing with what De- Boer called a more sig- nificant injury issue. He saw limited snaps during Saturday’s home game and finished with just one tackle.
Though the team
is expecting him to be more available this week, it is expected to remain in a limited ca- pacity.
Freshman Kosi Agi- na, also of Sanger High, is yet to see any play- ing time but recently received high praises from DeBoer. Recruited as a defensive player, Agina has reportedly made large strides in practices, leading De- Boer to say that the true freshman may soon see action on the field as the season progresses.
The Fresno State Bulldogs will see their next action tonight when they host Colorado State in a 7 p.m. matchup. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Due to COVID-19 guidelines, Fresno State football games are cur- rently being played with- out an audience.
Photo Contributed
Jalen Cropper had just two catches for 21 yards in Fres- no State's season opener.
Photo Contributed
Arron Mosby saw limited action on Saturday and fin- ished with one tackle.
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