Fresno State Athletics
The Root of Success: A Look Back at Former Fresno State Student-Athletes
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Jan. 31, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - As a student-athlete at Antioch High School in, former Fresno State wrestler Anthony Camacho was dominant. As the captain of his team for three consecutive years, Camacho led by example, taking his league and section titles three times.
Camacho was recruited heavily by Fresno State, Minnesota and Oklahoma during his high school years. He chose to take up Minnesota on its offer and wrestle for the Golden Gophers in the Big Ten. In a major conference such as the Big Ten, Camacho would get the opportunity to compete against the powerhouses like Iowa and Illinois. However, the high school All-American was a California man, originally from the Bay Area, and he felt more comfortable in his environment.
"It was just too cold in that state," Camacho joked. "Wrestling for Minnesota was a good experience, but I felt it wasn't the right situation for me."
Transferring to Fresno State turned out to be a solid decision. Camacho graduated in 1993 with a degree in health science. He has been married for six years and has three daughters. Currently he is the head wrestling coach and a physical education teacher at the brand new Clovis East High School.
Camacho said Fresno State wrestling coach Dennis DeLiddo was an important part of his life. DeLiddo's coaching ability, knowledge and supportiveness was one reason Camacho returned to his native state. Camacho said DeLiddo always made his athletes aware of what was available to them on campus, stressing the importance of getting an education.
"I have to give a lot of credit to coach DeLiddo," Camacho said. "He didn't hold my hand, but he made sure I went to class and he made sure I got my work done on the mat and in the classroom."
DeLiddo has the same respect for Camacho.
"He was a smart, aggressive wrestler," Deliddo said. "He came to practice ready to work hard everyday. He developed into a solid athlete who competed well at the nationals."
As a Bulldog, Camacho wrestled in the 150 and 158 weight classes. He took third in his weight class in the Pac-10 and then second in the first year of the Western Athletic Conference. During the summers he would compete against some of the best athletes around. In 1991 he won a freestyle title at a national tournament.
"It's great teaching and coaching in a great district like Clovis Unified," Camacho said. "I've had the opportunity to start from scratch and offer my own views. Because I'm responsible for this whole area I have the opportunity to put my own spin on things. I'll have to show the kids new moves and encourage them to work hard. I'll also set up clinics for coaches in my area to make sure we're all on the same page."
Camacho plans on making his home at Central East and it probably his last coaching stop. He has responsibility of instituting a strong wrestling program throughout his area in Clovis. He wants to provide his athletes with the resources and instruction time to make them elite.
"This is definitely a long term job," Camacho said. "I'm just scratching the surface, I really have to mold the freshman to be strong competitors and good role models. They will be our first seniors and they're going to pave the way for this program. It is about a four to six year program, the length of time that it will take us to get to the level of the other schools."
Camacho's Fresno State roots have proven that a determined person combined with a tradition of academic and athletic excellence can go a long way.