| ||||||||||||||
Al Fuentes, a former two-time collegiate All-American, is entering his first season as an assistant coach with the Arizona State University wrestling program in 2008. The newest addition to the Sun Devil program will work with the lower weight classes while also handling all administrative duties and day-to-day operations of the program.
"After taking time away from coaching, I am very excited to return to the sport I love," Fuentes said. "I look forward to coaching again in a sport that has been a part of my life since I was five years old. I am proud to be afforded the opportunity to bring my experiences as a wrestler and a coach to such a prestigious program and I am looking forward to helping bring Arizona State back to the top of the standings."
Fuentes found success in the college ranks as a member of the University of Findlay program, joining the squad in 1993. With the Roughnecks, he earned All-America honors at 142 pounds in 1997 and 1998 after placing third and second, respectively at the NAIA national meet. As a freshman, he was part of the 1995 NAIA National Championship squad. While at UF, Fuentes was coached by 1995 NAIA National Coach of the Year John Jeffre, former Russian senior champion Miron Kharchilova, Cuban Olympian Alberto Rodriguez and Penn State All-American Shawn Nelson.
Off the mats, Fuentes was a three-time Academic All-American selection, garnering the honors in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Following the 1998 season, he graduated from UF with an Environmental Safety and Occupation Health Management.
After his graduation, Fuentes remained at the university where he worked as the Coordinator of Sports Marketing while also serving as a volunteer assistant coach with the wrestling program. Four years later, he moved into the private sector before moving to the Phoenix area in 2003. In the Valley of the Sun, he eventually started a sports/life performance coaching company where he worked with many high school, collegiate and Olympic caliber athletes.
A native of Liberty Center, Ohio, Fuentes was a 1993 graduate of Liberty Center High School where he was a two-time place-winner at the OHSAA Championships. As a senior, he entered the state tournament with an unblemished 34-0 record before an injury on the mat forced him to default to sixth place.
Fuentes currently resides in Ahwatukee with his wife, Michelle.
