TEMPE, Ariz. — The Sun Devils open their Pac-12 Conference schedule on the road at Oregon State this weekend on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 7 pm MT/6 pm PT. The match will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network/Pac-12.com/Pac-12 Now App.
The Beavers are 2-4 going into this weekend with wins over CSU Bakersfield (Dec. 9) and Northern Colorado (Jan. 11) and losses to South Dakota State (Dec. 16), #20 North Dakota State (Dec. 20), #6 Michigan (Jan. 3), and #12 Wyoming (Jan. 13).
Tickets can be purchased at www.osubeavers.com on the wrestling schedule page.
The Sun Devils are 23-18 all-time vs. the Beavers (7-9 in Corvallis). ASU last won at Oregon State on Feb. 5, 2017 (33-11 win) after five-straight losses previously in Corvallis.
VALENCIA WINS VIRGINIA DUALS OUTSTANDING WRESTLER FOR THIRD YEAR
Redshirt junior Zahid Valencia (174), No. 2 in the nation in his weight class, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament for the third consecutive season in as many visits, scoring a tournament-leading 21 points for his team. No. 5 Josh Shields (165) also won all four of his matches over the weekend, with three coming by bonus points, scoring 18 team points (second-highest across the field).
Valencia and Shields had the third and fifth-most pins or tech falls in the least time as well as two of the three fastest pins of the weekend, both back-to-back in the third-place match vs. Oklahoma.
Valencia had the most single match points in a 22-5 tech fall victory over Oklahoma's Anthony Mantanona in Friday's quarterfinals victory. Shields had the fourth-most in a 20-6 major decision vs. Chattanooga's Drew Nicholson in Saturday's win. Shields and Brandon Courtney scored the third and fifth-most total match points, 44 and 39, respectively.
As a team, the Sun Devils earned a fourth-place finish.
SUN DEVILS HAVE SIX PLACERS, 2 CHAMPIONS AT MIDLANDS
Six Sun Devils, two wrestling unattached, earned places at this year's Midlands including Josiah Kline (4th/133), Jacen Petersen (8th/165), Josh Shields (165/3rd) and Zahid Valencia (174/1st) as well as Jacori Teemer (5th/149) and Tanner Hall 1st/HWT), wrestling unattached. Six placers are the most the Sun Devils have had since they had six in 1997, second-most all-time.
Zahid Valencia led the field with the most total match points (89), scored the second-most team points (28), and had the third-most single match points (21). Shields had the seventh-most tech falls in the least time (2/12:50) while Josiah Kline had the sixth-most total match points (65).
BUY TICKETS
With a schedule full of top-10 teams heading to Tempe, fans are encouraged to get their season and single match tickets early by visiting https://thesundevils.com/sports/2014/10/29/209739045.aspx or by calling the Sun Devil Ticket Office at (480) 727-0000.
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 open 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 $200 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: https://www.sundevilclub.com/wrestling-inner-circle.