SAN FRANCISCO--Five Arizona State wrestlers earned top two rankings in the Pac-12 wrestling coaches rankings the conference announced this week.
Seniors Matt Kraus, Blake Stauffer and Josh DaSilveira, at 149, 184, and 197 pounds respectively, earned first place rankings, while sophomore Robbie Mathers at 141 pounds and freshman Tanner Hall at heavyweight ranked second.
Kraus earned Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week honors on Jan. 12 after he went 2-0 at the Virginia Duals, upsetting All-American Alex Richardson of Old Dominion. In a Sun Devil wrestling upset over No. 14 Iowa State on Jan. 15, reigning Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week and No. 14 in the nation at the 149 weight class, Kraus clinched the victory with his 5-4 decision victory over the 18th ranked Gabe Moreno. Last week Kraus wrestled at 157 pounds for the first time in his career, defeating Stanford’s Walker Dempsey in a major decision victory, 12-4.
At 197, DaSilveira helped ASU’s regain the lead over Iowa State with his pin in the first period of the bout. At 184, Stauffer added a decision victory against Iowa State and a 9-1 major decision victory against Utah Valley University on Jan. 21. Stauffer and DaSilveira also both picked up decision victories against Stanford. Stauffer is now 14-0 in duals on the year while DaSilveira is 11-5.
Mathers helped the Sun Devils get on the board against West Virginia last week with his 14-4 major decision victory over Tony DeAngelo. Mathers also had decision victories at 141 against UVU and Iowa State in the previous two matches.
At heavyweight Hall picked up a 11-0 major decision victory against Iowa State on Jan. 15, and decision victories against UVU and WVU the next two matches.
The institution hosting the Pac-12 Wrestling Championship completes Pac-12 coaches rankings.