TEMPE, Ariz. – On Friday, Feb. 9 (7 pm), the No. 8 Arizona State wrestling team will host No. 7 Lehigh in a top-10 matchup at Wells Fargo Arena. Before coming out to the meet, here are five important things to know about the matchup:
The match will also serve as the program's Senior Night, with the senior class honored as part of the evening's festivities. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
- Arizona State has a set of brothers – Pac-12 champion Anthony Valencia and All-American Zahid Valencia (both redshirt sophomores) while Lehigh also has a set of brothers – All-American Scott Parker and brother, Matt, a freshman.
- With ASU ranked as high as No. 8 by the NWCA and Lehigh ranked as high as No. 7 by Trackwrestling, this will be the first top-10 vs. top-10 matchup in Wells Fargo Arena this season.
- The Sun Devils and Mountain Hawks have two common opponents this season – Michigan and Virginia Tech – which each team split decisions with. ASU defeated then-No. 9 Virginia Tech, 21-15, to win their first Virginia Duals title but lost to then-No. 3 Michigan, 21-18, in their dual opener. Lehigh, on the other hand, lost to Virginia Tech most recently, 20-17, but defeated Michigan, 27-8, in November.
- A marquee matchup at 125 lbs, All-American No. 12 Ryan Millhof will face No. 1 Darian Cruz, the defending national champion at the weight class.
- No. 1 at 174 lbs. and undefeated on the season, Zahid Valencia (a Hodge Award contender) will have one of his toughest tests yet vs. No. 5 Jordan Kutler, who bumped up two weight classes from 157 lbs. last season. Prior to the bout, Valencia will have defeated No. 3 Bo Jordan (Ohio State), No. 4 Myles Amine (Michigan), No. 6/7 Taylor Lujan (Northern Iowa), No. 9 Keaton Subjeck (Stanford), No. 10 Yoanse Meijas (Oklahoma) and No. 10 David Kocer (South Dakota State).
The match will also serve as the program's Senior Night, with the senior class honored as part of the evening's festivities. To purchase tickets, click HERE.