Abas, Blunt Join Fresno State Coaching Staff

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Fresno State Sports Information ()
09/30/2002


FRESNO, Calif.- Stephen Abas and Billy Blunt are going to continue their wrestling careers at Fresno State. However, this year they are making the transfer from student-athletes to student-coaches.    Their decision to coach was not a hard one. Coach Dennis DeLiddo has had open positions for a while and both wanted to stay and finish their degrees. Abas is majoring in liberal studies and Blunt will get a degree in history.    Neither has much coaching experience. But, according to both, they are eager to learn and they join an experienced staff. DeLiddo is begining his 22nd year at Fresno State and has coached many great wrestlers, one being his current assistant coach Gerry Abas, Stephen's older brother. Gerry Abas is entering his eighth year at Fresno State. During his wrestling career, he was a four-time All-American, and before his younger brother's senior season he was Fresno State's winningness wrestler with 134 wins.    Abas is also a two-time member of the U.S. Freestyle World Team.    Blunt was the 1998 ACC champion and an NCAA Qualifier while at North Carolina State at 285 lbs. After transferring to Fresno State, he placed fifth at the 2001 NCAA Championships.    The Abas brothers will help the lighter weight wrestlers while Blunt is in charge of the team's strength and conditioning program as well as working with the