Joe Romero, a native of
Tucson, is connected to many
of the most important entities that
made Arizona into a national hotbed
for wrestling, among these are:
Sunnyside High School, where Romero was a state runner-up under
the guidance of legendary Coach Don Klostreich, Phoenix College,
where he both wrestled and also served as head coach, Arizona
State University, Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club, which has produced
grapplers who have earned more than 50 Olympic and World
medals, Marcos de Niza High School, which has finished runner-up
in the state tournament five times, and now, Black Flag Wrestling,
where he works with Marcos de Niza High coach and Arizona State
alum, R.D. Pursell. All told, Romero is a key linchpin in the Grand
Canyon State's wrestling history over the past four decades.
Romero began his collegiate career at Phoenix College under the
tutelage of the legendary Ronald "Tune" Eastin, and won a national
junior college title before moving on to ASU. His best year as a Sun
Devil was 1979, when he was an All-American, finishing fourth at
134 pounds at the NCAA Championships in Corvallis, Ore. (ASU
finished fifth in the team standings that year its highest ranking
ever to that time). In subsequent years, Romero moved full time
into coaching and is currently serving as assistant head coach of the
varsity squad at Marcos de Niza High School. He has been working
with Padre athletes since 1995, and has been a part of state team title
winners in 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Wrestled 1976-1979
Arizona State University & Phoenix College
134lbs
JOE
ROMERO
44 | NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE
