SAN FRANCISCO – To cap the end of a historic and memorable season, Arizona State wrestling sweeps top Pac-12 accolades as Zahid Valencia has been named both Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year and Freshman/Newcomer of the Year. Head coach Zeke Jones has also been named Coach of the Year.
This marks the first time in conference history that a wrestler has claimed both Wrestler and Freshman/Newcomer of the Year honors in the same season.
Earning All-American status in 2017, Valencia finished third at NCAA championships with a 38-1 record during his freshman campaign. The Pac-12 champion at 174 lbs. was also named Most Outstanding Wrestler, also receiving the award for most falls in the conference tournament.
Valencia inked his name in multiple places in ASU's single season records including bonus point wins (T3), major decisions wins (T3), pins (T12), and victories (T13). After just one season of competition, he also is T-19th in ASU's career major decisions and career bonus point wins.
Valencia is the 19th Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year from ASU, first since Blake Stauffer in 2015, while Zeke Jones is the 17th Pac-12 Coach of the Year from Arizona State, first since Shawn Charles in 2011.
Jones, in his third season, also has been named Coach of the Year for leading the Sun Devils to their first Pac-12 title in 11 seasons. His first recruiting class (2015) competed in full this season for the first time, amassing five Pac-12 champions and NCAA competitors and two All-Americans.
Jones also led the Sun Devils to their first win in Ames over Iowa State since 1989, best finish at Midlands since 1989 and best finish at Virginia Duals since 1997. ASU also had their biggest home crowd since 2010 vs. No. 2 Ohio State during the historic 2016-17 season.
The Sun Devils will celebrate the season at their annual team banquet on Thursday, Apr. 13 (7 p.m.) at the Phoenix Country Club. To register, click HERE.
This marks the first time in conference history that a wrestler has claimed both Wrestler and Freshman/Newcomer of the Year honors in the same season.
Earning All-American status in 2017, Valencia finished third at NCAA championships with a 38-1 record during his freshman campaign. The Pac-12 champion at 174 lbs. was also named Most Outstanding Wrestler, also receiving the award for most falls in the conference tournament.
Valencia inked his name in multiple places in ASU's single season records including bonus point wins (T3), major decisions wins (T3), pins (T12), and victories (T13). After just one season of competition, he also is T-19th in ASU's career major decisions and career bonus point wins.
Valencia is the 19th Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year from ASU, first since Blake Stauffer in 2015, while Zeke Jones is the 17th Pac-12 Coach of the Year from Arizona State, first since Shawn Charles in 2011.
Jones, in his third season, also has been named Coach of the Year for leading the Sun Devils to their first Pac-12 title in 11 seasons. His first recruiting class (2015) competed in full this season for the first time, amassing five Pac-12 champions and NCAA competitors and two All-Americans.
Jones also led the Sun Devils to their first win in Ames over Iowa State since 1989, best finish at Midlands since 1989 and best finish at Virginia Duals since 1997. ASU also had their biggest home crowd since 2010 vs. No. 2 Ohio State during the historic 2016-17 season.
The Sun Devils will celebrate the season at their annual team banquet on Thursday, Apr. 13 (7 p.m.) at the Phoenix Country Club. To register, click HERE.