Jan. 12, 2007
HAMPTON, Va. - The Arizona State University wrestling team, seeded fifth at the 27th Virginia Duals, took on fourth-seeded Rider in the quarterfinals Friday afternoon and dropped a 23-13 decision inside the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va. The Sun Devils, who snapped their six-dual losing streak earlier in the morning with a win over Virginia, slipped to 3-7 overall on the year while the Broncs improved to 4-3.
The dual opened with John Espinoza securing his second win of the day, this time an 8-4 decision over Thomas Lorenzo, to stake the Sun Devils to a 3-0 lead before the Broncs won the next three bouts. Trailing 10-3 in the team race, No. 6 Brian Stith took to the mats in his hometown and halted the Rider winning streak as he secured a 16-5 major decision over Rob Morrison to bring the Sun Devils to within three points at 10-7.
But the Broncs would take the next two bouts, including a forfeit at 165 pounds, to build a 13-point lead (20-7) with three bouts to go. At 184 pounds, Jake Cranford won a 4-2 decision to give the Sun Devils a small chance at prevailing, but T.J. Morrison dropped Jason Truslon at 197 pounds, 2-1, to put the team score out of reach. In the final bout of the day, Quinton Pruett won his first match of the year, taking a 6-0 decision from Nick Ciufo.
ASU will take on Liberty at 10 a.m. Saturday morning in the consolation bracket.
2007 Virginia Duals - Quarterfinals
January 12, 2007 - Hampton, Va.
#5-seed Arizona State vs. #4-seed Rider
125 - John Espinoza (ASU) decision Thomas Lorenzo (RU), 8-4
133 - Brian Polashuk (RU) decision Angel Alegre (ASU), 6-2
141 - Don Fisch (RU) major Robert Galvan (ASU), 10-1
149 - Michael Kessler (RU) decision Chris Remsen (ASU), 6-1
157 - #6 Brian Stith (ASU) major Rob Morrison (RU), 16-5
165 - Dave Miller (RU) won by forfeit
174 - #14 Doug Umbehauer (RU) major Rick Renzi (ASU), 10-0
184 - Jake Cranford (ASU) decision Mike Miller (RU), 4-2
197 - T.J. Morrison (RU) decision Jason Trulson (ASU), 2-1
285 - Quinton Pruett (ASU) decision Nick Ciufo (RU), 6-0
Rider (4-3) defeats Arizona State (3-7), 23-13