TEMPE, Ariz. – The No. 4 ranked Sun Devils return home to Desert Financial Arena to host the Oregon State Beavers in the Beauty and the Beast meet on Friday (7 p.m. MST) with ASU Gymnastics.
The Sun Devils make it back to the mat to begin Pac-12 competition after going 3-0 this past Saturday at the Sun Devil Duals, where the team took down Harvard (43-3), Campbell (21-18) and No. 11 Iowa State (21-12) at Chase Field. Despite falling behind early against Campbell and Iowa State, the Sun Devils battled back with help from the back half of their lineup to rally and secure the teams' 7th and 8th win of the season. ASU's victory over the Cyclones was the fourth win over a top-25 opponent this season and recorded the team's first 8-1 start since 2007.
Another week of rankings provided through Trackwrestling has nine Sun Devils spotted -- Brandon Courtney (No. 12), Josh Kramer (No. 17), Josh Maruca (No. 21), Jacori Teemer (No. 22), Josh Shields (No. 6), Anthony Valencia (No. 8), Zahid Valencia (No.1), Kordell Norfleet (No. 16) and Tanner Hall (No. 4). Courtney (125) has been off to a hot start to begin the new decade, winning his last four matches and most recently beating No. 12 Alex Mackall of Iowa State. It was a revenge match for Courtney, as Mackall got the better of him at Cliff Keen back in December. In 20 matches, Courtney has recorded a team-leading eight majors - tied for 17th for the most in a single-season in ASU history, trailing teammate Josh Shields' record (13) set last season.
At 149, Maruca will re-enter the lineup this Friday after taking the past weekend off due to injury. He is 7-7 with three major decision wins this year. Shields, a winner of eight of his last nine, continues to take out some of the best at 165 with five ranked wins so far. A. Valencia had arguably the best weekend of his redshirt junior season, earning two bonus-point wins, with his most notable victory coming in the finale against Iowa State's Sam Colbray. Colbray came into the match ranked No. 8 at 184 before being moved down to wrestle at 174 this past Saturday.
At 184, Z. Valencia continues to make his case for the Dan Hodge Trophy after going 3-0 and adding three more bonus-point wins to his resume. This past weeks performance was good enough to earn Valencia his third Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week honor in his career. This weekend (Jan. 18-19), Valencia will be competing internationally at the Matteo Pellicone in Rome, Italy - the first of two ranking series events for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Norfleet (197) rides a three-match win-streak into Friday after earning three bonus-wins at the Sun Devil Duals. Hall improved to 13-3 this year and returns to the mat after putting up a major victory over No. 10 Gannon Gremmel (Iowa State).
The Beavers, ranked No. 25 by the latest WIN Magazines dual rankings, start the season 4-1 with wins over Simon Fraser, George Mason, Michigan, and Northern Colorado. Individually, Devan Turner (133) boasts the highest ranking amongst his teammates ranked No. 15 by FloWrestling.
Under the direction of head coach Zeke Jones, ASU has won four of the last five matches over the Beavers, winning three straight in Tempe. The Devils hold a 24-18 all-time series lead over OSU, with a 12-8 overall home record.
Friday's match will be broadcast live on ASU Live Stream, with live stats provided through Trackwrestling. Tickets can be purchased at TheSunDevils.com/BeautyandTheBeast
Up next, the Sun Devils take a week off from their dual schedule before hosting their final home meet of the year when they welcome Stanford to Desert Financial Arena for a Friday night matchup at 6 p.m. MST.
MILESTONES
- 2 major decisions needed for Josh Shields to move into 2nd all-time in career major wins in ASU history (sits at 31 behind Steve Blackfords' 32)
- 2 pins needed for Zahid Valencia to move up to 3rd for most career pins in ASU history (sits 4th with 40 behind Gary Coleys' 41)
- 2 major decisions needed for Brandon Courtney to move into ASU's top-10 for most majors in a season (sits T-17th with 8)
- 5 wins needed for Tanner Hall to reach 100 career wins (currently sits at 95)
SUN DEVILS SWEEP DUALS ON THE DIAMOND
The Sun Devils went 3-0 on the day (Jan. 11), defeating Harvard, Campbell and No. 11 Iowa State in a historic outing as they hosted the first-ever college wrestling event at a major league baseball stadium (Chase Field). The Maroon and Gold opened the quad meet with a dominant 43-3 win over the Pilgrims, which included ASU winning nine of 10 matches and picking up their first 40-point score since 2012. Dillion Ulrey (149), Anthony Valencia (174), Zahid Valencia (184) and Kordell Norfleet (197) all picked up six points in the match to put the team up comfortably and notch the first time in seven years that ASU had four wrestlers with a pin in a single match.
Next, the Sun Devils found themselves down 15-6 against Campbell heading to intermission. With the help of four-straight wins from the back half of the line-up, including three-straight majors, ASU closed the gap and defeated Campbell, 21-18.
The quad finale against No. 11 Iowa State was another come-from-behind effort, with the back half providing another clutch outing with five-straight wins to cruise to a 21-12 win over the Cyclones. With three more wins and the fourth top-25 victory of the season, the Sun Devils are 8-1 for the first time since 2007. Overall, ASU compiled 13 extra-point victories as Norfleet and Z. Valencia led the way with three while Anthony Valencia added two more. Z. Valencia's extra-point victories were good enough to surpass 2011 National Champion Anthony Robles to set the record for the most career bonus-point victories in ASU history (94).
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. 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.
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.
Join here: https://www.sundevilclub.com/wrestling-inner-circle.
The Sun Devils make it back to the mat to begin Pac-12 competition after going 3-0 this past Saturday at the Sun Devil Duals, where the team took down Harvard (43-3), Campbell (21-18) and No. 11 Iowa State (21-12) at Chase Field. Despite falling behind early against Campbell and Iowa State, the Sun Devils battled back with help from the back half of their lineup to rally and secure the teams' 7th and 8th win of the season. ASU's victory over the Cyclones was the fourth win over a top-25 opponent this season and recorded the team's first 8-1 start since 2007.
Another week of rankings provided through Trackwrestling has nine Sun Devils spotted -- Brandon Courtney (No. 12), Josh Kramer (No. 17), Josh Maruca (No. 21), Jacori Teemer (No. 22), Josh Shields (No. 6), Anthony Valencia (No. 8), Zahid Valencia (No.1), Kordell Norfleet (No. 16) and Tanner Hall (No. 4). Courtney (125) has been off to a hot start to begin the new decade, winning his last four matches and most recently beating No. 12 Alex Mackall of Iowa State. It was a revenge match for Courtney, as Mackall got the better of him at Cliff Keen back in December. In 20 matches, Courtney has recorded a team-leading eight majors - tied for 17th for the most in a single-season in ASU history, trailing teammate Josh Shields' record (13) set last season.
At 149, Maruca will re-enter the lineup this Friday after taking the past weekend off due to injury. He is 7-7 with three major decision wins this year. Shields, a winner of eight of his last nine, continues to take out some of the best at 165 with five ranked wins so far. A. Valencia had arguably the best weekend of his redshirt junior season, earning two bonus-point wins, with his most notable victory coming in the finale against Iowa State's Sam Colbray. Colbray came into the match ranked No. 8 at 184 before being moved down to wrestle at 174 this past Saturday.
At 184, Z. Valencia continues to make his case for the Dan Hodge Trophy after going 3-0 and adding three more bonus-point wins to his resume. This past weeks performance was good enough to earn Valencia his third Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week honor in his career. This weekend (Jan. 18-19), Valencia will be competing internationally at the Matteo Pellicone in Rome, Italy - the first of two ranking series events for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Norfleet (197) rides a three-match win-streak into Friday after earning three bonus-wins at the Sun Devil Duals. Hall improved to 13-3 this year and returns to the mat after putting up a major victory over No. 10 Gannon Gremmel (Iowa State).
The Beavers, ranked No. 25 by the latest WIN Magazines dual rankings, start the season 4-1 with wins over Simon Fraser, George Mason, Michigan, and Northern Colorado. Individually, Devan Turner (133) boasts the highest ranking amongst his teammates ranked No. 15 by FloWrestling.
Under the direction of head coach Zeke Jones, ASU has won four of the last five matches over the Beavers, winning three straight in Tempe. The Devils hold a 24-18 all-time series lead over OSU, with a 12-8 overall home record.
Friday's match will be broadcast live on ASU Live Stream, with live stats provided through Trackwrestling. Tickets can be purchased at TheSunDevils.com/BeautyandTheBeast
Up next, the Sun Devils take a week off from their dual schedule before hosting their final home meet of the year when they welcome Stanford to Desert Financial Arena for a Friday night matchup at 6 p.m. MST.
MILESTONES
- 2 major decisions needed for Josh Shields to move into 2nd all-time in career major wins in ASU history (sits at 31 behind Steve Blackfords' 32)
- 2 pins needed for Zahid Valencia to move up to 3rd for most career pins in ASU history (sits 4th with 40 behind Gary Coleys' 41)
- 2 major decisions needed for Brandon Courtney to move into ASU's top-10 for most majors in a season (sits T-17th with 8)
- 5 wins needed for Tanner Hall to reach 100 career wins (currently sits at 95)
SUN DEVILS SWEEP DUALS ON THE DIAMOND
The Sun Devils went 3-0 on the day (Jan. 11), defeating Harvard, Campbell and No. 11 Iowa State in a historic outing as they hosted the first-ever college wrestling event at a major league baseball stadium (Chase Field). The Maroon and Gold opened the quad meet with a dominant 43-3 win over the Pilgrims, which included ASU winning nine of 10 matches and picking up their first 40-point score since 2012. Dillion Ulrey (149), Anthony Valencia (174), Zahid Valencia (184) and Kordell Norfleet (197) all picked up six points in the match to put the team up comfortably and notch the first time in seven years that ASU had four wrestlers with a pin in a single match.
Next, the Sun Devils found themselves down 15-6 against Campbell heading to intermission. With the help of four-straight wins from the back half of the line-up, including three-straight majors, ASU closed the gap and defeated Campbell, 21-18.
The quad finale against No. 11 Iowa State was another come-from-behind effort, with the back half providing another clutch outing with five-straight wins to cruise to a 21-12 win over the Cyclones. With three more wins and the fourth top-25 victory of the season, the Sun Devils are 8-1 for the first time since 2007. Overall, ASU compiled 13 extra-point victories as Norfleet and Z. Valencia led the way with three while Anthony Valencia added two more. Z. Valencia's extra-point victories were good enough to surpass 2011 National Champion Anthony Robles to set the record for the most career bonus-point victories in ASU history (94).
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. 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.
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.
Join here: https://www.sundevilclub.com/wrestling-inner-circle.