COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 6 Arizona State wrestling started the dual season with back-to-back tough tests, facing No. 2 Ohio State in their home arena Sunday after No. 3 Michigan on Friday. Despite ASU taking an early lead, OSU ultimately reigned victorious, 31-12.
"It was a tough one today," said head coach Zeke Jones. "We had several opportunities to put ourselves in a position to win the dual but we didn't get it done. Now that we've battled two of the potential final four teams, we know exactly what we need to work on. You must be a complete wrestler – compete in all three positions, have one or two moves in every area – to win at this level. If you have that, you'll be fine but if not, they'll expose you."
Ryan Millhof (125), in his official debut dual bout as a Sun Devil, pinned OSU's Brakan Mead to push the Sun Devils out to a 6-0 lead early.
Ohio State picked up decisions, the 133-lb. match in the first sudden victory period, in three straight bouts (133, 141, 149) but No. 12 Josh Shields tied the match at 9-apiece going into intermission with an upset of No. 5 Micah Jordan, 7-4.
After the Buckeyes regained the lead, 13-9, on a major decision at 165, No. 1 Zahid Valencia defeated No. 4 Bo Jordan, 9-4, in their long-awaited meeting to pull the Sun Devils within one, 13-12.
"The 'game ball' goes to Josh Shields and Zahid. They just came in and took care of business. They wrestled well in all areas and stayed tough. They love to compete and love to wrestle and it's going to take an army of men to stop these two."
Ohio State picked up 18 points in the final three weight classes to ultimately run away with a 31-12 victory.
"It's great to wrestle both Ohio State and Michigan this early and we look forward to wrestling Ohio State in Vegas and Michigan two more times in December."
ASU returns to Tempe for their regular season home opener on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 12 noon vs. No. 23 Pitt. The first-of-its-kind "Grappling at Gammage" event will be held at ASU Gammage on the ASU Tempe campus and will be live streamed.
No. 2 Ohio State (31), No. 6 Arizona State (12)
125: No. 7 Ryan Millhof FALL Brakan Mead (5:16)
133: No. 10 Luke Fletcher dec. Ali Naser, 7-5 (SV1)
141: No. 6 Joey McKenna dec. Cory Crooks, 6-1
149: No. 11 Ke-Shawn Hayes dec. No. 13 Josh Maruca, 6-3
157: No. 12 Josh Shields dec. No. 5 Micah Jordan, 7-4
165: No. 7 Te'Shan Campbell MD No. 6 Anthony Valencia, 14-0
174: No. 1 Zahid Valencia dec. No. 4 Bo Jordan, 9-4
184: No. 2 Myles Martin FALL Kordell Norfleet (4:31)
197: No. 1 Kollin Moore wins by FORFEIT
HWT: No. 1 Kyle Snyder FALL Austyn Harris (6:17)
"It was a tough one today," said head coach Zeke Jones. "We had several opportunities to put ourselves in a position to win the dual but we didn't get it done. Now that we've battled two of the potential final four teams, we know exactly what we need to work on. You must be a complete wrestler – compete in all three positions, have one or two moves in every area – to win at this level. If you have that, you'll be fine but if not, they'll expose you."
Ryan Millhof (125), in his official debut dual bout as a Sun Devil, pinned OSU's Brakan Mead to push the Sun Devils out to a 6-0 lead early.
Ohio State picked up decisions, the 133-lb. match in the first sudden victory period, in three straight bouts (133, 141, 149) but No. 12 Josh Shields tied the match at 9-apiece going into intermission with an upset of No. 5 Micah Jordan, 7-4.
After the Buckeyes regained the lead, 13-9, on a major decision at 165, No. 1 Zahid Valencia defeated No. 4 Bo Jordan, 9-4, in their long-awaited meeting to pull the Sun Devils within one, 13-12.
"The 'game ball' goes to Josh Shields and Zahid. They just came in and took care of business. They wrestled well in all areas and stayed tough. They love to compete and love to wrestle and it's going to take an army of men to stop these two."
Ohio State picked up 18 points in the final three weight classes to ultimately run away with a 31-12 victory.
"It's great to wrestle both Ohio State and Michigan this early and we look forward to wrestling Ohio State in Vegas and Michigan two more times in December."
ASU returns to Tempe for their regular season home opener on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 12 noon vs. No. 23 Pitt. The first-of-its-kind "Grappling at Gammage" event will be held at ASU Gammage on the ASU Tempe campus and will be live streamed.
No. 2 Ohio State (31), No. 6 Arizona State (12)
125: No. 7 Ryan Millhof FALL Brakan Mead (5:16)
133: No. 10 Luke Fletcher dec. Ali Naser, 7-5 (SV1)
141: No. 6 Joey McKenna dec. Cory Crooks, 6-1
149: No. 11 Ke-Shawn Hayes dec. No. 13 Josh Maruca, 6-3
157: No. 12 Josh Shields dec. No. 5 Micah Jordan, 7-4
165: No. 7 Te'Shan Campbell MD No. 6 Anthony Valencia, 14-0
174: No. 1 Zahid Valencia dec. No. 4 Bo Jordan, 9-4
184: No. 2 Myles Martin FALL Kordell Norfleet (4:31)
197: No. 1 Kollin Moore wins by FORFEIT
HWT: No. 1 Kyle Snyder FALL Austyn Harris (6:17)