TEMPE, Ariz.—For the second straight year, the No. 24 Arizona State wrestling team is set to send six athletes to the 2016 NCAA Wrestling Championships, March 17-19 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Pac-12 Champions Dalton Brady (133 pounds), Blake Stauffer (184 pounds), and Josh DaSilveira (197) are set to compete, along with qualifiers Robbie Mathers (141 pounds), Matt Kraus (149 pounds), and Tanner Hall (Heavyweight).
A 2015 All-American, Stauffer will compete at the meet for the fourth time in his career, while this is the second time Kraus has qualified, competing in 2015 at 141 pounds.
All the NCAA Championships action will air on the ESPN family of networks. Fans can also follow @ASUWrestling on Twitter for updates throughout the competition.
THE QUALIFIERS
Dalton Brady (133 pounds)
At 133 pounds, Dalton Brady (16-2) will open against the No. 6 seed, George Camillo (27-3). The winner will face the winner between No. 11 Dom Forys (25-3) of Pittsburgh and Dominick Malone (22-10) from Northwestern.
Robbie Mathers (141 pounds)
At 141 pounds, Robbie Mathers (22-11) will open against the No. 14 seed, Bryce Meredith (25-4) of Wyoming. The winner will face off against the winner between the No. 3 seed, Kevin Jack of NC State (23-3) and Danny Sabatello of Purdue (19-15).
No. 13 Matt Kraus (149 pounds)
A two-time NCAA qualifier, Matt Kraus (28-6) earned the first seeded position for the Sun Devils at No. 13, and will open against Buffalo’s Colt Cotton (12-9) at 149 pounds. The winner will face off against the No. 4 seed, Matthew Cimato of Drexel (34-5) or John Fahy of SIUE (19-9). This season, Kraus has wrestled both potential second-round opponents, falling in a close, 3-2, decision to Cimato and majoring Fahy, 13-2.
No. 6 Blake Stauffer (184 pounds)
A four-time NCAA qualifier and 2015 All-American, No. 6-seeded Blake Stauffer will open against Ohio State’s Kenny Courts (17-10). The two last met at the 2015 NCAA Championships, with Stauffer earning a 6-2 decision in his final wrestle-back before the Third/Tourth Place bout. The winner will face either the No. 11 seed, Lorenzo Thomas of Penn (30-6) or Bubba Scheffel of West Virginia (21-14). Stauffer posted wins over Scheffel twice this season.
Josh DaSilveira (197 pounds)
At 197, Josh DaSilveira (21-9) will open against the No. 7 seed, Princeton’s Brett Harner (33-3). The winner will face either the No. 10 seed, Maxwell Huntley of Michigan (21-5) or Bryce Barnes of Army (21-9).
Tanner Hall (heavyweight)
At heavyweight, Tanner Hall (23-10) will open up with a rematch against Virginia Tech’s Ty Walz (23-2), the No. 3 seed. The two last met at the Virginia Duals in January, with Hall falling in a close, 6-5 decision. The winner will face off against the No. 14 seed, UNI’s Blaize Cabell (22-6) or Joseph Goodhart of Drexel (24-12). Earlier this season, Hall earned a 4-1 decision over Cabell in the quarterfinals of the Las Vegas Invite. Hall also earned a 7-2 decision over Goodhart as part of the Mountaineer Duals this past November.
THE 2015 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Last season, Blake Stauffer became ASU’s first All-American since 2011 with his fourth-place finish at the 2015 tournament. Stauffer went 6-2 during the tournament, helping Arizona State to a 29th-place finish.
Ares Carpio (125), Matt Kraus (141), Christian Pagdilao (149), Oliver Pierce (157), and Ray Waters (174) also qualified for the meet for the Sun Devils.
LAST TIME OUT
Three Arizona State wrestlers won titles, propelling the Sun Devils to their second consecutive second place finish at the Pac-12 Championships on Feb. 27 at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Sun Devils fell short to defending champions Oregon State, however, as the Beavers took the championship, 118-113. CSU Bakersfield finished third with 101 team points.
Junior Dalton Brady and redshirt seniors Blake Stauffer and Josh Dasilveira, at 133, 184 and 197 pounds, respectively, won titles along with automatic bids to the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Madison Square Garden in March.
Three more Sun Devils claimed automatic bids to the national meet, sophomore Robbie Mathers (141), senior Matt Kraus (149), and freshman Tanner Hall (HWT).
IN THE RANKINGS
Team:
USA Today/NWCA: 24
Intermat Tournament/Dual: 23/25
WrestlingReport: 26
Individuals:
133 - Dalton Brady: 18 (TOM)
141- Robbie Mathers: 31 (WrestlingReport)
149 - Matt Kraus: 8 (TOM), 13 (InterMat), 15 (AWN), 15 (WrestlingReport), 16 (FLO)
184 - Blake Stauffer: 5 (TOM), 6 (InterMat), 6 (FLO), 6 (AWN), 7 (WrestlingReport)
197 - Josh DaSilveira: 32 (WrestlingReport)
HWT - Tanner Hall: 11 (WrestlingReport), 15 (InterMat), 15 (AWN), 16 (TOM), 17 (FLO)
NINE ASU WRESTLERS HIGHLIGHT PAC-12 ALL-CENTURY TEAM
Nine former members of the Arizona State wrestling team have been named to the Pac-12 Wrestling All-Century Team, the Pac-12 Conference announced on Monday’s, Feb. 22.
The team from ASU incudes Anthony Robles (2008-11), Zeke Jones (1987-90), Shawn Charles (1990-93), Eric Larkin (1999-03), Markus Mollica (1993-96), Steve Blackford (1997-01), Dan St. John (1986-90), Ray Miller (1990-93), and Mike Davies (1984-88).
The Sun Devils, along with Oregon State, leads the team in representation, with nine wrestlers apiece. The 28 wrestlers have won 28 individual national titles, 25 Conference Wrestler of the Year awards, and 70 conference titles.
The 28-man class was voted on by 20 experts, including coaches, wrestlers, administrators, and members of the media. In each of the 10 weight classes, the two wrestlers who received the most votes made the All-Century Team.
Members of the All-Century team were recognized at the 2016 Pac-12 Wrestling Championships on Feb. 27 in Tempe.
KRAUS NAMED PAC-12 WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
Matt Kraus was named the Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week, the conference office announced on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Kraus (16-5 overall, 9-1 duals) went 2-0 as the Sun Devils competed at the 36th Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va., upsetting All-American Alex Richardson of Old Dominion, and defeating Virginia Tech’s Sal Mastriani.
Against the then-No. 24 Monarchs, Kraus was ASU’s first scorer of the match, getting the team on the board with a 3-2 decision win over Richardson, propelling ASU to the 25-11 victory.
Kraus also got the Sun Devils on the board in the 28-12 loss to Virginia Tech, taking down Mastriani, 9-4.
SUN DEVILS IN THE ASU WRESTLING RECORD BOOK
Overall Victories In A Career
T20. Blake Stauffer - 103
Dual Victories In A Career
T8. Blake Stauffer - 55
Bonus Point Wins In A Career
11. Blake Stauffer 44 (22-14-8)
T-19. Matt Kraus (27 (19-3-5)
Major Decisions In A Career
9. Blake Stauffer - 22
12. Matt Kraus - 19
Tech Falls In A Career
4. Blake Stauffer - 14
T16. Christian Pagdilao - 4
T19. Matt Kraus/Dalton Brady/Oliver Pierce/Josh DaSilveira/Tanner Hall - 3
Major Decisions In A Season
T4. Robbie Mathers - 10
T13. Matt Kraus - 8
Tech Falls In A Season
T8. Blake Stauffer - 5
2015-16 TOURNAMENT PLACERS
First Place: Dalton Brady (Pac-12 Championships)
First Place: Dalton Brady (US Collegiate Championships)
First Place: Dalton Brady (Edinboro Open)
First Place: Matt Kraus (Edinboro Open)
First Place: Josh DaSilveira (Edinboro Open)
First Place: Josh DaSilveira (Pac-12 Championships)
First Place: Blake Stauffer (Pac-12 Championships)
Second Place: Chace Eskam (Edinboro Open)
Second Place: Tanner Hall (Midlands Championships)
Second Place: Matt Kraus (Pac-12 Championships)
Second Place: Oliver Pierce (Pac-12 Championships)
Third Place: Tanner Hall (Pac-12 Championships)
Third Place: Robbie Mathers (Pac-12 Championships)
Third Place: Oliver Pierce (Edinboro Open)
Fourth Place: Matt Kraus (Las Vegas Invite)
Fourth Place: Tanner Hall (Las Vegas Invite)
Fifth Place: Ares Carpio (Edinboro Open)
Fifth Place: Chace Eskam (Reno TOC)
Fifth Place: Preston McCalmon (Pac-12 Championships)
Fifth Place: Jacen Petersen (Edinboro Open)
Fifth Place: Jacen Petersen (Pac-12 Championships)
Fifth Place: Blake Stauffer (Edinboro Open)
Sixth Place: Ares Carpio (Pac-12 Championships)
Seventh Place: Robbie Mathers (Las Vegas Invite)
REDSHIRTING A. VALENICA EARNS BRONZE AT DAVE SCHULTZ
Sun Devil freshman Anthony Valencia, redshirting his first season in Tempe, earned Bronze at last week’s Dave Shultz Memorial Invitational in Colorado Springs. Competing at 74 kg in the senior freestyle division, Valencia posted a 12-1 tech fall over Andrew Sorenson of Panther WC RTC.
Also in action, Sun Devil alum Kevin Radford, who has already qualified for April’s Olympic trails, placed fourth at 85 kg in the Greco-Roman division.
STAUFFER WINS AT NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC
All-American Blake Stauffer opened his redshirt senior season with a victory at the 50th NWCA All-Star Classic on Nov. 1 at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, defeating Lehigh’s All-American Nate Brown in a 4-1, sudden victory decision.
For his efforts, Stauffer was named the red team’s outstanding wrestler for the classic, and is ASU’s 14th NWCA All-Star Classic winner in program history, the first since Anthony Robles and Bubba Jenkins won in 2011.
ROBLES RETURNS TO PAC-12 NETWORKS BROADCAST TEAM
Arizona State wrestling standout and 2011 NCAA Champion Anthony Robles returns for his second season as an analyst for the Pac-12 Networks, it was announced on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Robles joins Rich Burk, Jason Knapp, and Ken Chertow, covering nine regular-season matchups around the league.
The broadcast schedule includes four in Tempe, culminating in the Pac-12 Championships finals on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT.
Last season, along with joining the Pac-12 Networks broadcast crew, Robles joined the ESPN broadcast team in its coverage of the 2015 NCAA Wrestling Championships.
JOIN THE INNER CIRCLE
Sun Devil Wrestling is just one part of a very successful wrestling community in the Valley of the Sun and is happy to opens its doors for the Sun Devil Wrestling Inner Circle Receptions. During a Sun Devil Wrestling Inner Circle Reception say hello to former NCAA National Champions and Olympic Medalists, have a conversation with wrestling coaches on the national stage, interact with former Sun Devil wrestlers along with friends and families of the program, and listen to a pre-match analysis from a current Sun Devil Wrestling coach.
While in the Sun Devil Wrestling Inner Circle Reception, enjoy beverages while having a light snack prior to heading to your seats to watch the Sun Devils in action.
Admission for two (2) is provide to Sun Devil Wrestling Inner Circle Receptions for wrestling supporters who donate $100 or more to Sun Devil Wrestling. Your donation will be used to continue the tradition of Sun Devil Wrestling and build a successful future.
The Sun Devil Wrestling Inner Circle Receptions are located in Room 116 inside Wells Fargo Arena. Doors open one hour prior to each Sun Devil Wrestling home contest.
Join here: http://www.sundevilclub.com/wrestling-inner-circle?DB_OEM_ID=30300
THE RETURNERS
Anthony Anderson (R-Fr./174), Sully Cauley (R-Fr./197), Alexander D’Aloisio (R-Fr./133), Austyn Harris (R-Fr./HWT), Michael Oramas (R-Fr./149), Mikel Perales (R-Fr./125), Koby Reyes (R-Fr./141), Jacen Petersen (So./165), Christian Pagdilao (R-So./149), Oliver Pierce (R-So./157), Dalton Brady (Jr./133), Jesse Calderon (Jr./133), Wes Moore (Jr./197), Ryan Nantuna (Jr./149), Ares Carpio (Sr./125), Cord Coronado (Sr./133), Matt Kraus (Sr./149), Kaylon Sencio (Sr./157), Josh DaSilveira (R-Sr./197), Preston McCalmon (R-Sr./165), Tyree Owens (R-Sr./125), Blake Stauffer (R-Sr./184), Chace Eskam (6th Year Senior/HWT)
THE NEWCOMERS
Lance Benick (Fr./197/Fridley, Minn.), Jake Deutschlander (Fr./165/Carver, Minn.), Chance Eskam (Fr./HWT/Carlsbad, Calif.), Andy Gandara (Fr./141/Somerton, Ariz.), Tanner Hall (Fr./HWT/Meridian, Idaho), Paul Klein (Fr./133/New Orleans, La.), Josh Kramer (Fr./125, Buckeye, Ariz.), Josh Maruca (Fr./149/Murrysville, Pa.), Ted Rico (Fr./133/Queen Creek, Ariz.), Tyler Sage (Fr./141/Weston, Fla.), Josh Shields (Fr./157/Murrysville, Pa.), Conner Small (Fr./174/Issaquah, Wash.), Zach Smith (Fr./174/Wexford, Mass.), Antony Valencia (Fr./165/Bellflower, Calif.), Zahid Valencia (Fr./184/Bellflower, Calif.), Nikko Villarreal (Fr./Gilroy, Calif./Gilroy HS), Kirk Wilson (Fr./HWT/Baton Rouge, La.), Robbie Mathers (So./141)
ASU WELCOMES COUNTRY’S NO. 1-RANKED RECRUITING CLASS TO TEMPE
Arizona State’s incoming freshman class was named No. 1 in the nation, Amateur Wrestling News announced in August.
This marks the first time the Sun Devils have had the top recruiting class, per AWN, since 1988. The last time ASU was ranked was at 11 in 2010.
Announced in the fall of 2014, the ASU signees include Anthony Valencia (St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif.), Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif.), Lance Benick (Totino-Grace HS, Fridley, Minn.), Josh Maruca (Franklin Regional HS, Murrysville, Pa.), Josh Shields (Franklin Regional HS, Murrysville, Pa.), and Nikko Villarreal (Gilroy, Gilroy, Calif.). Tanner Hall (Meridian, Meridian, Idaho) signed with the Sun Devils in the spring.
ANTHONY VALENICA TO TAKE 2015-16 TO PREP FOR RIO OLYMPIC TRIALS
In preparation for the upcoming Olympic Trials and the 2016 Rio Olympics, Anthony Valencia has decided to redshirt the upcoming competition season.
“You don’t get the chance to qualify to redshirt to focus on the Olympics very often when you’re someone as young as Anthony,” head coach Zeke Jones said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a high school senior qualify, but he meets the US Olympic Standard to take a year where he can train and compete, travel all around the country and the world, which will put him on track to reaching his ultimate, and really any athlete’s ultimate goal to be an Olympic Champion.”
Valencia reached the qualification standards while still in high school as he finished in the top-8 at the 2015 Senior World Team Trials earlier this year.
The U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials will be held in Iowa City, Iowa, in 2016. The event is scheduled for April 8-10, four months prior to the Olympic Games.
The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held Aug. 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
HEAD COACH ZEKE JONES
The seventh coach in ASU wrestling history, Zeke Jones was hired in April 2014. In his first season with the Sun Devils, Jones led ASU to a second-place finish at the Pac-12 Championships, the best finish since 2006, and coached six wrestlers to the 2015 NCAA Wrestling Championships, including All-American Blake Stauffer (184 pounds).
An Olympic silver medalist for the United States, Jones was the 1991 World Champion at 52kg, a four-time World-Cup Champion, and coached United States’ Olympians in the 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2012 Olympic Games.
A member of ASU’s 1988 NCAA Wrestling Championship team, Jones was a three-time All-American and Pac-10 Champion for the Sun Devils. A national runner-up at 118, Jones sits at No. 4 in ASU’s career record book in both overall victories (134) and dual victories (59). He also holds the school record for dual match victories in a season with 22 during the 1989-90 campaign.
THE COACHING STAFF
Joining head coach Zeke Jones on the 2015-16 coaching staff are fourth-year assistant coach Lee Pritts, second-year assistant coach Chris Pendleton, and volunteer assistant Jordan Oliver.
Pendleton previously served as an assistant coach at Wyoming for four seasons, and specialized in training the team’s upper weight classes. Pendleton was a two-time NCAA Champion and three-time All-American at Oklahoma State.
Oliver, also a two-time NCAA Champion from Oklahoma State was a four-time All-American for the Cowboys, and set the career record for pins with 54. In his second year with USA Wrestling, Oliver stands as the No. 2 wrestler at 65 kg.