Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Wrestling legend Stephen Abas selected to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
10/26/2017 1:00:00 PM | Wrestling
Fresno State Wrestling legend Stephen Abas was announced as a Distinguished Member of the 2018 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Class on Thursday.
"The Class of 2018 is an amazing group of people who have made a tremendous and extremely positive impact on our sport," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
"We are excited to be inducting our second female Distinguished Member, Kristie Davis, and to recognize Lee Allen, who played a significant role in the development and growth of women's wrestling. We are so excited to honor another group that has not only contributed to our sport, but who embodies what wrestling can do to help you excel in life."
The Hall of Fame Board of Governors approved the selections at its meeting in Kansas City on Oct. 18. The induction ceremony will be held at the 42nd Annual Honors Weekend on June 1-2, 2018 in Stillwater.
One of four Distinguished members in this class, along with Lee Allen, Henry Cejudo and Kristie Davis, that group is comprised of wrestlers who have achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition; a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and who has compiled an outstanding record; or a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport.
A five-year Bulldog from 1997-2002, Abas was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion and a four-time All-American at Fresno State, winning titles in 1999, 2001 and 2002 after finishing fourth as a freshman in 1998. He won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in 2004 and competed in the World Championships in 2001 and 2003. He was also qualified for the World Championships in 2002, but the United States did not compete.
Abas was named to the NCAA's 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team in 2005 in the lightweight division, along with current Distinguished Members Tom Brands (2001), Dan Gable (1980), John Smith (1997) and Yojiro Uetake Obata (1980). He had a career college record of 144-4-0 and did not lose a match at 125 pounds. Abas concluded his college career with 95 consecutive wins, including a 35-0 record as a senior and a 34-0 record as a junior, while setting the school record for career wins with 144 wins and career winning percentage with 97.3 percent.
He was named the Fresno State Male Athlete of the Year in 1999 and 2001, and is currently the freestyle coach at the Valley Region Training Center in Fresno, California.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter: @Fresno StateWRES
Instagram:Â fresnostatewrestling
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
