Al Fontes is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame Writer, who has years and years of experience with the sport. And although writing wasn't his FIRST passion, he has now become one of the best to do it. His ability to break down the sport and cover the athletes involved, is incredible.
Today we get to hear from him and learn of his background in the sport and where he came from. We'll chat about wrestling in California as compared to here in Idaho and what he's learned while he's been covering the sport here in Idaho (since he moved here just a few short years ago).
We also break down the Girl's Wrestling too and discuss the immense growth that is happening on that side too!
It's an incredible opportunity to become enlightened as Al shares some serious insight with the rest of us.
What I would highly recommend is taking a look at TIER 1 Wrestling on Instagram to see the coverage he provides on social media. You can find his page here:
https://www.instagram.com/tier_one_idaho/
I'd also highly encourage you all to take a look at his content on IdahoSports.com where he does the majority of his work these days.
- https://www.idahosports.com/blogs/blogger.aspx?bloggerid=12029
Below I'd love to share with you all a little bit about his background:
BACKGROUND
Occupation – Deputy Nuclear Facility Manager, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1991-’20 (Retired)
Military Service – United State Navy, Second Class, E-5 (Surface Warfare), 1984-‘88
Education – University of San Francisco/Chabot College
AWARDS/HONORS
National Wrestling Hall of Fame (NWHOF), Lifetime Service, Idaho Chapter, 2024
NWHOF Bob Dellinger-Nation’s Top Wrestling Writer, 2018
California Wrestling Hall of Fame–Lifetime Service, 2016
Dan Gable America Needs Wrestling Award-National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), 2007
Irv Oliner Award – Contributions to wrestling in the state of California, 2001
Wrestling USA Magazine Hall of Fame, 2001
Editor of the Year & Person of the Year
COMMITTEES
Idaho Wrestling Hall of Fame Committee Board member, 2013-Present
California Wrestling Hall of Fame Committee Board member, 2010–‘20
COMPETITIVE WRESTLING CAREER
Chabot College, 1988–‘89
Northern California Regional medalist
Coast Conference Championships finalist
Livermore High School, 1980–’84
2x East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) Champion, 1983-‘84
Tri-Valley Wrestling Club, Livermore, CA, 1982–‘84
Junction Middle School, Livermore, CA, 1978–‘80
WRITER/EDITORSHIP (1994–Present)
IdahoSports.com, 2021-Present
Contributing writer – Prep wrestling
Mat Chat Prepcast podcast
National Hall-of-Fame – Idaho Chapter, 2022-Present
Contributing writer
THE IDAHO ELITE REPORT (TIER 1) Newsletter – Founder, est. 2021
Writer, Promoter, and Historian
Rocky Report Newsletter – Rocky Mountain HS Wrestling, 2020-‘24
Writer, Promoter, and Historian
Sports Stars Magazine – California, 2018-‘20
Writer, Promoter, and Historian for prep wrestling
The California Wrestler Newsletter, 1994-‘22
Writer, Promoter, Webmaster, and Historian
Contributing Editor:
Idaho Sports.com
Idaho Chapter – National Hall-of-Fame
Wrestling USA Magazine (WUSA)
Amateur Wrestling News (AWN)
WIN Magazine
InterMat
FLO Wrestling
California State Wrestling Championships Program, 1999-‘20
Weight-by-Weight/Team Previews
COACHING TENURE (1980–Present)
Rocky Mountain High School (Meridian, Idaho), 2020–‘24 (Assistant Coach)
Heritage Middle School (Meridian, Idaho), 2021-’22 (Assistant Coach)
District Team Champions/Undefeated Dual Meet Champions (8-0), 2021
California Team Leader, NHSCA Senior High School Nationals, 2001, ‘02, ‘06
National Team Champions (19 All-Americans ‘01)
National Team runner-up (26 All-Americans ‘02, ‘06)
Liberty High School (CIF North Coast Section), 1996–‘03 (Assistant Coach)
Bay Valley Athletic League (BVAL) Champions – 1997, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ‘03
CIF North Coast Section Champions – 1997, ‘03
Antioch High School (CIF North Coast Section), 1994–’95 (Assistant Coach)
Livermore High School (CIF North Coast Section), 1988–’94 (Assistant Coach)
East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) Team Champions 1989, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ‘94
Delta Wrestling Club (Brentwood, CA)
1996–‘03 (Kids, Middle, and High School levels)
Golden State Wrestling Club (Antioch, CA)
1994–’95 (Kids, Middle, and High School levels)
Tri-Valley Wrestling Club (Livermore, CA)
1988–’94 (Kids, Middle, and High School levels)
Christensen Middle School (Livermore, CA)
1993 (Assistant Coach)
Junction Middle School (Livermore, CA)
1988–’89 (Head Coach)
1980–’84 (Assistant Coach)