Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/279748
For a program that started only in 1972, the California State University-Bakersfield Roadrunners have produced more than their fair share of competitors at the national level in wrestling (in both NCAA Divisions I and II). The significance of the earliest guardians of this proud tradition cannot be overstated, as this group of athletes set a very high threshold for subsequent generations of grapplers. One of the earliest such personages on campus was a former Bakersfield High School Driller named Florencio "Flo" Rocha, a third-place finisher at the state high school tournament in 1973 at 165 pounds, who finished fourth at the NCAA tournament in 1977 to become one of the program's first Division I All-Americans. Rocha was also a two-time Division II All-American, finishing third in 1976, and winning the NCAA Div. II title in 1977, all at 167 pounds. By garnering these accolades early in the Roadrunners' team history, Rocha, along with other notables such as Dan Houtchens and Bill Van Worth (first Division II national titles for the school in 1976) and Franz Affentranger (also won a national title alongside Rocha in 1977) established a tradition of excellence that has continued to this day. Rocha's career still stands among the best in program history; with his name still prominent in career wins at the NCAA (4), number of wins in a season (47), winning percentage in a season (.922), number of overall victories (78), and career winning percentage (.876) all still in the top 30 of the illustrious mat history at CSU-B. FLORENCIO "FLO" ROCHA Wrestled 1976-1977 California State University-Bakersfield 167lbs 42 | NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE ROCHA'S CAREER STILL STANDS AMONG THE BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY; WITH HIS NAME STILL PROMINENT IN CAREER WINS AT THE NCAA (4), NUMBER OF WINS IN A SEASON (47), WINNING PERCENTAGE IN A SEASON (.922), NUMBER OF OVERALL VICTORIES (78).