ST LOUIS, Mo.—Arizona State wrestling’s redshirt junior Blake Stauffer became the Sun Devils’ first All-American since 2011 as he went 4-0 on Friday at the 2015 NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Scottrade Center.
The No. 3 seed at 184 pounds, Stauffer (36-2 overall) rebounded from Thursday’s upset loss in the second round, first by defeating Lazarus Reyes of Illinois in a 4-2 decision. Stauffer followed in the morning session with a 12-9 decision win over Davidson’s Scott Patrick in the third round of consolation.
In the fourth round of consolation, Stauffer defeated the No. 9 seed, Sam Brooks of Iowa in a 7-2 decision, and then capped the night with another 7-2 decision, this time against Missouri’s Willie Miklus in the fifth round of consolation competition.
Up next, as one of the eight wrestlers still in the competition, Stauffer will take on Ohio State’s Kenny Courts on Saturday. Stauffer and Courts last met on Nov. 15, the Sun Devil falling in a 3-1 overtime decision for his first loss of the year.
The winner of that bout will advance to the third-place match against either Hayden Zilmer (NDSU) or Edinboro’s No. 13 Victory Avery.
The final session at the NCAA Wrestling Championships will begin at 8 a.m. PT/10 a.m. CT on WatchESPN.
ASU’s last All-Americans were Anthony Robles (125 pounds), Bubba Jenkins (157 pounds), and Levi Cooper (HWT), all in 2011.
Arizona State Results
2nd Conso: No. 3 Blake Stauffer (ASU) def. Lazarus Reyes (ILL): Dec 4-2
3rd Conso: No. 3 Blake Stauffer (ASU) def. Scott Patrick (DAV): Dec 12-9
4th Conso: No. 3 Blake Stauffer (ASU) def. No. 9 Sam Brooks (Iowa): Dec 7-2
5th Conso: No. 3 Blake Stauffer (ASU) def. Willie Miklus (MIZZ): Dec 7-2
6th Conso: No. 3 Blake Stauffer (ASU) vs. Kenny Courts (OHST) – SATURDAY