Inducted 2026

Darrell Vasquez became the first-ever four-time California state high school champion and a two-time high school All-American.

Vasquez won the 101-pound state title in 1999 as a freshman for the Drillers. A year later, he won the 112 state title and won the 119 state title in 2001 as a junior. In 2002, Vasquez won his fourth state title at 125 pounds, besting a Central Section foe in Jason Williams of Clovis to become the first four-time state champion in California history.
In the past 23 years, only three other wrestlers have won four state titles, all having been in the shadow of a legacy created by Vasquez.

His high school record was 201-7 and he is a two-time Dave Schultz Champion of Champions Award winner.
He was a two-time Junior Freestyle All-American and a three-time Reno Tournament of Champions All-American. He was named Bakersfield Californian’s All-Area Wrestler of the Year all four years in high school.

Vasquez received the California Assembly Legislative Resolution Recognition and was also recognized by the Bakersfield City Council in acknowledgment of his scholastic and sports achievements.

He was actively involved in his church youth program and outreach, speaking to young adults about using their gifts for God. He also helps with the Bakersfield Police Activity League program. His overall high school GPA was 3.65 and he was named to the Wrestling USA 2002 Academic All-American Team.

Vasquez wrestled collegiality at Cal Poly, where he was a two-time All-American, and was an NCAA qualifier three times for the Mustangs where twice, he was a top-six finisher at the NCAA Championships.

Vasquez became an Emmy Award winning animator within the gaming and children’s animation shows.