Hometown Hammond

Nation’s #1 Stays Local

Willie Saylor, Editor

Talk to anyone who has to make a decision on the next half decade of their future and they’ll tell you it’s a laborious and difficult decision.

This is the case annually with college recruits, in wrestling, and every sport, when the top high school athletes are resolving their college dilemmas.

But for Bryce Hammond the decision was exacerbated by additional circumstances.

Wrestling in Bakersfield, California, nestled in the same town as California State University at Bakersfield, there was the lure and, perhaps, expectation for Bryce to ‘stay home’ and help the local school.

Add to that, his father, Ray, is a former CSUB Roadrunner wrestler. Add to that, CSUB’s assistant coach, Gerry Abas, has been working with Bryce since his youth days. Add to that the CSUB wrestling team had just received additional funding and financial support and are in dire need of a premier recruit to be the face of the program.

What better prospect could they get than a hometown state champion?

Ranked by TheOpenMat as both the #1 overall 160lber in the country, and the top 165lb college recruit, Bryce certainly had a basket of offers. He was considering, among others, several Pac-10 schools, many of which had his sincere interest including Cal Poly, Boise State, and Arizona State.

In the end though, Hammond energetically made that decision this weekend, informing Coach Mendoza that he will, indeed, be a Bakersfield Roadrunner.

We had a chance to catch up with Bryce about his all-important decision.

WS: Why CSUB?

BH: The biggest thing for me was the coaching staff. Coach Mendoza is a great coach and a great person. I have no doubt that he will treat me the way that I want to be treated. He also brings a very solid style of wrestling to the table, and that is huge in college. Coach Abas has worked with me for years and is a huge reason for my success. I know that he has the knowledge to take me to the next level. In my opinion he is the best coach in the nation technically. Coach Mena’s past success as a coach speaks for itself. I have heard many coaches call him the best little guy coach in the country, and I don’t doubt it. The intensity he brings to the room is amazing. Also having Brian Cobb and Nathan Vasquez as workout partners was a big part in the decision.

WS: Your father wrestled there and it’s your local college program. Was there any sense of pressure and expectation to attend there?

BH: I would be lying if I said ‘no’. There’s always pressure to stay when there is a program in town. Everyone in the community wanted to see me stay. I have a loyalty to this school and this town. But that is not the reason I chose CSUB. I truly believe I can accomplish my goals here. But it is nice to have that legacy to uphold.

WS: What other schools were you considering?

BH: I’ve always wanted to stay in the PAC-10, so it was between Boise State, Arizona State, Cal Poly, and CSUB.

WS: What was the recruiting process like for you?

BH: It was very stressful, especially in the last week or so. But I was lucky enough to form some great relationships with guys on the teams that I visited.

WS: What is your relationship with the coaches and wrestlers currently at CSUB?

BH: My dad is the pastor of Grace Bible Church in Bakersfield, and Coach Mendoza has been coming for a number of years. So I have always had a great relationship with him, and trust him very much. Coach Abas has been huge in developing my style to the place where it is at now. He has spent countless hours with me over the years. I have just recently met Coach Mena, but he is a great coach. I have no doubt that we will develop a great relationship. There are several wrestlers on the team who have also wrestled at Bakersfield High I have known them for a very long time. I know most of the other guys well, and have a good relationship with them.

WS: What might you major in?

BH: I am not completely sure, but I’m looking into a major in business with a focus in finance.

WS: You had to gut out a state title run last year. How are the ribs and elbow?

BH: Those are both big injuries that take a very long time to heal. I spent most of this past summer healing up. I feel great now! Everything is healed up, and I’m ready to go!

WS: You’re the de facto captain of a team that TOM had ranked in the Top20 in the country last year. Talk about what it’s like to lead a team of that caliber and what your goals are for this season.

BH: It’s great being one of the captains on a team that is that talented. The intensity in the room is great. Being surrounded by a group of guys who are committed to the same goals as you keeps you going. The guys all hold each other accountable. There isn’t another team in the country that I would rather be on.

WS: What are your goals in college and how do you see yourself fitting into the lineup? Will you redshirt?

BH: My greatest goal in college is to be a 4x NCAA champ. I feel that I have the coaching and workout partners to accomplish that. I plan on wrestling 165 lbs. I do plan on redshirting

Congratulations to the Hammond Family, CSUB Wrestling, and the Bakersfield Community.