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LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM | 21 Wrestling is a sport that demands a great deal from participants; that much, even casual observers can understand. Still, there are few individuals who have had to overcome more obstacles in achieving success on the mat than California State-Bakersfield mat legend Joe Gonzales. From the very start of life Gonzales faced adversity. The challenges began at the moment of birth, as the utilization of forceps to pull Joe out of his mother's womb caused minor brain damage which lead to hyperactivity. His parents eventually got Joe the right medical assistance and the condition was mostly under control by the time Joe reached Montebello High School in the mid-1970s. Still, there were "issues," and Gonzales looked for an outlet in various athletic pursuits including football, track and, finally, wrestling. This last choice proved a wise decision, as Gonzales finished his sophomore year with a record of 28-2. At this time, a series of traumatic, yet ultimately fortuitous, events occurred. First, Joe suffered a great deal of pain in his lower back and several doctors recommended surgery. Others prescribed a series of exercises which relieved the pain and permitted Gonzales to continue wrestling. Next, he encountered Shiro Aoyama, an assistant coach at East Los Angeles College, who began instructing the young Mexican American in the ways of Japanese-style wrestling. After some time in Japan (in 1974), Joe accepted a scholarship to ELAC and wrestled under Aoyama's tutelage , finishing with a 48-1 record. He earned a full ride to Oklahoma University under legendary Coach Stan Abel. The time in Norman was both rewarding (15- 7-1 record), and troubling (Abel tried to return Gonzales to the US model). Ultimately, Joe decided that he wanted to return to California. Because he had walked out on his scholarship without a release from Oklahoma, Gonzales sat out one season before starting at Cal State-Bakersfield for Coach Joe Seay. The Roadrunner program was still very new in the late 1970s, but Gonzales proved one of the early stars, along with other Latino wrestlers. His results at Bakersfield rank Gonzales among the greats of this small but significant program. In 1979 and 1980 he dominated the 118-pound weight class in Division II, winning two NCAA titles. In Division I, he finished second in 1979 before returning to the finals for a win in 1980. As of 2012, this two-time All-American still holds the records for most wins in a season (1980 with 55), the best win percentage in a season (1980 at 55-0), and best winning percentage for a career (98-1, a .990 mark). After completing his college eligibility, he moved on to success in freestyle. He won the U.S. Open Freestyle Championships five times between 1980 and 1988. He finished first in the World Cup in 1982, 1984 and 1988 and represented his country in the World Championships four times, finishing fifth in 1981, third in 1982 and fourth in 1985. Gonzales's extraordinary career earned him induction into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2000. JOE GONZALEZ Wrestled 1975-1980 California State University-Bakersfield 118lbs