In 1971-72, Cuesta College Athletics was still in its pre-teen years. All of the team-sport programs were building their foundation and the one program pushing towards the top of the podium was Wrestling. The Grapplers claimed the college's first conference title in 1969 and added three more before Men's Tennis hoisted a pennant. Wrestling earned another first in 1972, when George Palmer climbed to the top of the podium. Palmer, at 126 pounds, is Cuesta Athletics' first State Champion and his name tops a list that currently counts almost 50 names, including seven fellow wrestlers. He was also the Cougars' third All American on the mat, following Glenn Warner (158) in 1969 and Heavyweight Larry Ramos (275) in 1970. In the past half-century 53 more wresters have earned all-American/State status and since that initial trio the Cougars' athletic department is proud to boast over 600 All Americans over the past 57 years. In 2021-22, Cuesta produced two State Champions and 18 All Americans. Women's Swimmer Annie Bartolome won CCCAA State Titles for both the 100 and 200 Backstrokes, while Thrower Gabriel Katches led the Nation in the Discus with a toss of 193-9. They were both accorded honors as Cuesta College's Athletes of the Year, an award which Palmer also won in 1972.
George was a local product from Atascadero and, after his time as an athlete, supported Cuesta Athletics as a member of the Cuesta Athletic Booster Club.
