Antonio Lopez
Inducted:
2019 “Wrestling”
Antonio was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. As a youth he was a catcher in baseball using the rudimentary equipment that was commonly used in “ Los Ranchos “ of Mexico. At age 10 he began organized baseball. He played Little League and then went on to Pony League earning All Star status in both
As a freshman in high school he weighed 83 lbs. He was considered too small and a liability to make the football and baseball teams, so he went out for the wrestling team and earned a JV 95 lb. position .
On the JV team that year he won 1st place at the North Bay League Novice Tournament and received “ Best Freshman Wrestler “ award. In 10th grade he had a 3rd place finish at the NBL tournament and “ Most Inspirational “ award.
As a junior in 11th grade he was undefeated in league matches, 2nd at NBL tournament and “ MVP “ along with team captain and best record. It was more of the same in 12th grade. He won every tournament, MVP at many, 1st at NBL, 1st at Div. 3 Regionals, 1st at sectionals and entered CIF State Championships undefeated ending the season with 44 wins and 2 losses.
At Mendocino Comm. College he was 5th in California Small College State Tournament and Most Valuable Wrestler at Mendocino College. He was All Golden Valley Conference his 2nd year and team MVP.
At Cal State University, Sacramento under coach Hank Elespuru he was 3rd in the Far Western Conference and qualified for the NCAA National Collegiate Championships in 1980. In 1981 he was an NCAA Division II All-American.
After having worked as a migrant field worker he moved on to elementary school counselor, jr high and high school counselor, middle school Asst. Principal, high school Principal and is currently Dean of Counseling and Student Programs at Mendocino-Lake Community College.
Among other honors in education he lists that he was named in speech by First Lady Michelle Obama at American School Counselor Association National Conference and in 1980 received a Recognition Award from our Association, the Mexican American Hall of Fame Sports Association for his accomplishments.
