Abas wants NCAA title in the worst way

Spring 1994
Originally published by The Daily Collegian (Fresno State)

Gerry Abas is back in the national title hunt, but this time that won't do--unless he comes home on top.

The Fresno State wrestling standout finished runner-up in the NCAA Championship last season by a mere two points. Abas is back for more and is pointing at a national title more than ever.

Nothing less than a title will do, and certainly not second-best again, the junior from Oakland said.

"It's been my motivation all season," Abas said. "This has been the goal all my life--to be on top. Since I began wrestling, I've always looked to get better every season."

By finishing second-best in the country last year at the 142-pound spot, Abas figures to carry on his career tradition and take it a step further to finish as the national champion.
Missing out again this year "would be a major disappointment," Abas said.

"It sure won't rank as high as other tough losses, but it'll be right up there," Abas said.

Abas and the 13th ranked Bulldogs are going for an NCAA title today at the Dean Smith Center at the University of North Carolina, otherwise known as the "Dean Dome."

The 'Dogs will have seven wrestlers participating. Last season, FSU had the best finish in school history, placing eighth in the NCAA's. Abas and senior Terry Watts at 150 pounds are the only two grapplers returning from a season ago.

Abas and company got ready for another NCAA try by rolling to a second straight WAC title. Ranked second nationally at 142, he took home his second straight WAC title by turning in two big wins.

He turned back BYU's Greg Schroeder 23-10 in the semifinals and took Air Force's Jeff Dalyrimple 17-6.

It all added up to Abas being named the WAC's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Abas finished the regular season with an impressive 28-3 record. That includes a 14-match winning streak, which is still going strong. But what may be most impressive is that he hasn't lost two matches in a row all season.

"He has been real good in both his sophomore and junior years," said head coach Dennis DeLiddo. But Abas will try to reach a new level by winning it all.

"That's one of my biggest goals since I came here," Abas said.

Abas' other feats this past season have been going 14-0 in the dual meet season, being third on the Bulldogs with 56 points, and owning a 14-3 record in tournament play.

He is also 2-1 against ranked opponents and 6-0 against his WAC foes.

A strength this years for FSU was having Abas and Watts back, DeLiddo said. This year's Bulldog team made the NCAA's despite the lack of experience they had a season ago. Last year, the 'Dogs had their best team ever, DeLiddo added.

"It was the best season I've ever coached here, what with winning the WAC Championship, coming in strong at NCAA's and having three All-Americans."