Tiger wrestler signs letter-of-intent to compete for the Fresno State Bulldogs

The pizza came after Joint signed, and it didn’t last long thanks to the roomful of hungry teenagers.

The Bulldogs will begin their NCAA competitive season in earnest next season when Joint plans to join a team coached by Troy Steiner, the guy that recruited him. Steiner was a fairly-good wrestler himself in his college days, and for the past 10 years he’s been an assistant at Oregon State.

Joining Gary Joint (left to right) Coach Marcio Botelho, brother Wayne, Mom Melissa, Gary, Dad Kevin, and Coach Armando Calderon.

Steiner was picked by Fresno State athletic officials to help restore the wrestling program and recapture the valley’s wrestling savvy atmosphere. The Valley is a hotbed of wrestling, producing numerous state champs just about every year.

Joint was also joined by parents Kevin and Melissa Joint in the signing ceremony. His brother Wayne, also a wrestler, watched him sign his letter.

Why choose Fresno State? “Well, they had a really good plan, and they’re a starting a new program so it was a really good opportunity to get to that next level,” said Joint. “I had offers from other schools, but it was closer to home, and I think the coaches are really good coaches.”

Joint is a transplant from Kansas where as a freshman and sophomore wrestler he went to the state finals. Last season as a wrestler for Lemoore High School, he was the third-place medalist at the state tournament.

 He also has big plans. “Obviously, my overall goal is to be an undefeated four-year national champion. You know you’ve got to shoot for the stars if you can.”

Joint’s prospective college coach seems to know what he’s doing. Steiner was a four-time All-American at Iowa where he compiled a 148-13 record. He was a member of three Hawkeye national championship teams from 1991-93 and won the 1992 NCAA Division I National Championship in the 142-pound weight class.

Steiner couldn't be more pleased with Joint's signing, and he's not the only athlete to make the decision today to join the Bulldogs. Steiner said he could sign up to 15 wrestlers today. But he really likes what he sees in Joint. "I like how he works hard and I like his desire to win," said the first-year Bulldog coach. "He works hard when he's out there on the mat. Sometimes guys want to win easy. I can teach wrestling, but it's hard to teach the aggressiveness, and that kid (Joint) has so much desire."