Jan. 12, 2007
HAMPTON, Va. - The Arizona State University wrestling team opened competition at the 2007 Virginia Duals Friday morning in Hampton, Va., with a 21-19 defeat of Virginia to halt a six-dual losing streak and advance to the quarterfinals of the team event. The Sun Devils, the fifth-seed in the tournament, improved to 3-6 on the year while the Cavaliers slipped to 3-4 on the year.
An individual milestone was attained during the dual as No. 6 Brian Stith pinned his foe, Beau Fisher, at 1:18 of the 157 pound bout to record the 100th victory of his collegiate career. Stith, who stands 100-31 in his career with the Sun Devils, achieved the milestone win in his hometown as the native of Hampton, Va., and graduate of Frank W. Cox High School improved to 12-2 on the year. Stith is the 22nd Sun Devil to win 100 or more bouts in his Sun Devil career.
The dual opened at 125 pounds with John Espinoza securing a 3-0 decision to put the Sun Devils ahead, 3-0, in the team race. After a loss by major decision and decision at 133 and 141, respectively, and with ASU trailing, 7-3, Chris Remsen put the Sun Devils on top for good as he pinned Drew DiPasquale in 53 seconds to stake the Sun Devils to a 9-7 lead.
Stith's win stretched the lead to 15-7 for ASU before UVa scored a fall at 165 pounds to make the team score 15-13. Rick Renzi won an 8-3 decision at 174 to extend the lead to six points (18-13) before No. 17 Rocco Caponi took a 10-5 decision from Greg Gifford at 184 to again cut into the ASU advantage (18-16).
With two bouts remaining, the Sun Devils again extended their lead as Jason Trulson picked up a 4-1 victory over Kyle Narkiewicz to put ASU on top, 21-16, with the heavyweight battle remaining. Needing a win or a loss no greater than a major decision, Thor Moen took to the mat and held the lead over Scott Smith for much of the match, but with time winding down, surrendered a reversal and dropped a 7-6 decision. Despite Moen's loss, the Cavaliers earned just three team points, bringing the final score to 21-19 in favor of the Sun Devils.
ASU returns to action later today when they face fourth-seeded Rider in the quarterfinals. The dual is set for 1 p.m. EST with the winner advancing to Saturday's semifinal against the winner of top-seeded Penn State vs. eighth-seeded Bloomsburg.
2007 Virginia Duals - First Round
January 12, 2007 - Hampton, Va.
#5-seed Arizona State vs. Virginia
125 - John Espinoza (ASU) decision Ross Gitomer (UVa), 3-0
133 - #10 Eric Albright (UVa) major Angel Alegre (ASU), 11-3
141 - Kellon Balum (UVa) decision Robert Galvan (ASU), 7-4
149 - Chris Remsen (ASU) pinned Drew DiPasquale (UVa), 0:53
157 - #6 Brian Stith (ASU) pinned Beau Fisher (UVa), 1:18
165 - Damion Johnson (UVa) pinned Cameron Smith (ASU), 1:51
174 - Rick Renzi (ASU) decision Mike Grogran (UVa), 8-3
184 - #17 Rocco Caponi (UVa) decision Greg Gifford (ASU), 10-5
197 - Jason Trulson (ASU) decision Kyle Narkiewicz (UVa), 4-1
285 - Scott Smith (UVa) decision Thor Moen (ASU), 7-6
Arizona State (3-6) defeats Virginia (3-4), 21-19