Zeke Jones is going into his tenth season at the helm of Sun Devil Wrestling. Last season, Sun Devil Wrestling had a seventh-place finish in the NCAA Championships, four All-Americans, three Pac-12 champions and two Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year honors. No different from any other season, Jones and his team have high expectations on how the season will go.
"We want to win a conference championship. We want to win a national championship. That's always our goal, always our standard and our marker," says Jones. He wants his team to wrestle at their greatest potential, while also enjoying the moment and being grateful for the opportunity.
Sun Devil wrestling has three top-ten type teams coming into town. Nebraska, Lehigh, and Iowa State.
"We have Nebraska and Lehigh at the very end of the season. Lehigh's a small name school, but they're always top 10, 15 in the country. And Nebraska is a top 10 team year in, year out, and they have a very good program. Iowa State, which is always a top 10, 15 team as well, will be here."
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
JACORI TEEMER (REDSHIRT SENIOR/157 PROJECTED STARTER)
Missing 2022-23 season due to preseason injury...a 2022 All-American at 157 pounds (sixth-place at NCAA)...a 2022 Pac-12 Champion at 157 pounds...finished 21-22 season with a 22-3 record (three major decisions, one fall, and two tech-fall victories)...third-time NCAA qualifier (seeded No. 3)...defeated all opponents throughout regular season, all Pac-12 Championship matches, and first two NCAA Championship matchups...team-high 22 match win streak...won the Mountaineer Individual (157), went 4-0 with two major decision.
"Taking a year off is just very different for me and I'm a very competitive person so I'm just looking forward to getting out there competing with my teammates again tournament wise and duel wise."
KYLE PARCO (REDSHIRT JUNIOR/149 PROJECTED STARTER)
A 2023 Scholar All-American...a 2023 All-American at 149 pounds...a 2023 Pac-12 Champion at 149 pounds...finished 22-23 season with a 27-6 record (seven major decisions, three tech-fall victories)...14 match winning streak throughout season that extended into postseason...2-1 at Journeyman Collegiate Classic
"The thing that's up next for me is a national championship for the 2024 season, so I got my eyes set on that this year, and that's the only thing that I'm looking for."
COHLTON SCHULTZ (REDSHIRT JUNIOR/HWT PROJECTED STARTER)
A 2023 Final X 130 kg Champion...a 2023 US Open 130 kg GR Champion...a 2023 All-American in HWT (seventh-place at NCAA)...Pac-12 Champion at 285 pounds...finished 22-23 season with a 24-4 record (three major decisions, 10 falls)...12 match winning streak throughout season with five pins to his name...secured upset victory over Missouri for the Sun Devils with a major decision win over No. 7 Zach Elam
"I still haven't hit the biggest goal of being national champion, so that's definitely goal number one. After that is making sure the team's in the best place to bring home another trophy."
PROJECTED LINEUP
"If you were to look at the top five weight classes in the country, the first five, 125 to 157. I don't think there's a team in the country that can beat us," highlights Jones.
125
"Ranked top 2-3 in the country, Richard Figueroa, who won the Las Vegas Invitational, beat the NCAA finalists last year as a freshman and will be in the mix to win a national title. He'll be backed up by Damian Moreno and Tristan Mascarenas, and I think they'll do a nice job."
RICHARD FIGUEROA (REDSHIRT JUNIOR)
Went undefeated with 14 victories (two major decisions and one fall)...named to the Amateur Wrestling News 2023 All-Rookie Team...won the 125 bracket at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational...upset two top-20 opponents at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic
TRISTAN MASCARENAS (REDSHIRT JUNIOR)
Finished the season with a 6-5 record (one fall and one major decision)...went undefeated at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic
133
"Julian Chlebove, who's wrestling in the World Championships, the U23 World Championships in Albania at the end of this month. I think we expect Julian to jump right in the lineup and compete for a national championship. He's going to hold down 133... Carter Dibert, a Pennsylvania State champion. Carter will compete at 133 and I think he'll do a nice job."
JULIAN CHLEBOVE (REDSHIRT JUNIOR)
Made the 2023 USA U23 World Team...had a career high 10-5 record throughout the 22-23 season...went 5-2 at the Midland Championships with two tech fall victories
CARTER DIBERT (SOPHOMORE)
Completed first season as a Sun Devil with a 4-2 record...went 3-0 at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic and earned his first collegiate victory over Gabe Vidlak of Oklahoma
141
"We have Jesse Vasquez. A four time California State champion, top 15 in the country. He'll be in competition to win a national championship and certainly be an All-American. Emilio Ysaguirre is right there too. He wrestled last year at the Pac 12 Championships at 141."
JESSE VAZQUEZ (JUNIOR)
Finished 22-23 season with a 16-7 record (four major decisions and one tech-fall victory)...had two separate winning streaks of at least four wins throughout season...started the season hot with a 3-2 upset victory over No. 6 Allan Hart of Missouri
EMILIO YSAGUIRRE (SOPHOMORE)
Finished 22-23 season with an 8-6 record (three major decision victories)...completed the Pac-12 Championship with a 2-1 record (one major decision and one sudden victory)...won four of his five last matches at the end of the season
149
"Kyle Parco, one of the leaders of the team. Three time All-American, top three in the country. He's won the conference. Kaleb Larkin is a freshman and I think he could step in and wrestle right away, too."
KALEB LARKIN (FRESHMAN)
Had a 6-1 international record throughout 2022...throughout the 21-22 high school season, Larkin went 7-2 (all in 145)
"Kaleb Larkin is exciting -- his dad was a national champion here."
157
"Another three time All American, Jacori Teemer, another leader. Ranked top three in the country. Will compete for a national championship. Michael Kilic was a redshirt. Top recruit in high school a couple years ago. Redshirted last year and now is excited about being able to compete. We got the fort held down pretty good there."
MICHAEL KILIC (SOPHOMORE)
Finished the Keystone Classic 4-2, earning three major decisions...went 3-0 at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic, earning two tech-falls and one major decision
165
"We have a strong start with transfer Chance McLane. Having Chance brings a lot of excitement. He's competed at a high level for a long time. I really believe that he thinks that coming here can help him get on the podium, and that's the difference. And we have freshman Nicco Ruiz who is a strong contender out of California."
CHANCE MCLANE (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
Transfer from Oklahoma State...started 22-23 season 12-0 with first 11 wins being bonus-point victories...has a 17-3 record at 165 throughout the 22-23 season (seven falls, three technical falls and two major decisions)...is a three-time Montana state champion
NICCO RUIZ (FRESHMAN)
One of the top Class of 2023 prospects out of California...had a 5-2 international record throughout 2022... throughout 22-23 high school season, Ruiz went 5-1 (all in 160)...holds state titles in the 152 and 160 weight classes
"Nicco Ruiz comes out of the Bosco Prep School in California, where we have a pipeline of the Valencia Brothers and other kids that have come from Bosco to here. The tradition continues with both of them."
174, 184, and 197
"There is a lot of shuffling to still happen. Our intrasquad meet will tell us more. But we have a lot of good, strong options in these weight classes."
TONY NEGRON (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
Had a 10-14 record throughout 22-23 season (two major decisions and one pin)...went 3-0 at Journeymen Collegiate Classic, including an upset over No. 19 Lucas Ravno of Penn...achieved a 9-1 major decision at Pac-12 Championships, defeating Braden Smelser
CAEL VALENCIA (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE)
A 2023 NWCA Scholar All-American...named to the Amateur Wrestling News 2023 All-Rookie Team...finished the 22-23 season with an even 12-12 record (three sudden-victory wins)...competed in the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career...placed third at the Pac-12 Championships...had a five dual winning streak
ANTHONY MONTALVO (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
Had a 6-8 record throughout the 22-23 season (one major decision and one sudden victory)
JACOB MEISSNER (SOPHOMORE)
Completed 22-23 season with a 4-4 record...completed the Journeymen Collegiate Classic with a perfect 3-0 record
HWT
"Damion Schunke will start the season at heavyweight. Cohlton Schultz will be wrestling in the Pan American Games. He'll be wrestling in the U. S. Nationals to make the Olympic team, so he won't wrestle as much in the college season in the beginning."
DAMION SCHUNKE (SOPHOMORE)
Finished the Edinboro Open with a 2-2 record and two decision victories
ROUNDING OUT THE ROSTER
LOU FINCHER (133)
Competed in the Journeymen Collegiate Classic, where he earned his first victory of the season
CODY FOOTE (141)
Competed in four matches at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic
DAVID PALOSIKA (197)
Competed in six matches throughout the 22-23 season
RICKEY ROBERTO (157)
Earned a 4-5 record from competing in three open tournaments
MYKEY RAMOS (149)
Did not compete in the 22-23 season...has a 12-7 record throughout his freshman season (21-22)
MAX WILNER (165)
Throughout the 22-23 season, he went 4-13
SHAY ADDISON (174)
Competed the 22-23 season with a 4-3 record...ended season with a four-match winning streak
MAX BREWSTER (125)
Did not compete last season
COREY CAMDEN (141)
Did not compete last season...went 6-3 throughout 21-22 high school seeason
DIEGO CHAVEZ (197)
Made two appearances in the 2022 Keystone Classic
CANYON MANSFIELD (184)
Made an appearance during the duel against Cal Poly
GAVIN PRIEST (165)
Did not compete last season
ARTURO ANAYA (165)
Throughout the 2023 high school season, Anaya went 7-2...ha two 160 pounds second-place finishes at state
KAI ARGYROS (197)
Graduated high school in 21-22...had a 3-2 record
PHIL CHOBOT (197)
Had a 10-6 record throughout 22-23 high school season...earned the Washington state title in 182 pounds
AIDAN HERNANDEZ (157)
Had a 161-13 high school career record...took Missouri's 165 pound state title
LUKE ISAAK (174)
Won the state championship at 190 pound...had a 14-1 22-23 high school record, ending the season with a win streak of eight
DANIEL MIRANDA (133)
21-3 record throughout 22-23 high school season...a 132 pound state champion in Arizona
DAMIAN MORENO (125)
Has 160 career match wins with two DI state championships...recorded 72 wins in a row
TRENT WIKEL (184)
Had a 49-2 record throughout his senior year...holds state championships in two weight classes
"We want to win a conference championship. We want to win a national championship. That's always our goal, always our standard and our marker," says Jones. He wants his team to wrestle at their greatest potential, while also enjoying the moment and being grateful for the opportunity.
Sun Devil wrestling has three top-ten type teams coming into town. Nebraska, Lehigh, and Iowa State.
"We have Nebraska and Lehigh at the very end of the season. Lehigh's a small name school, but they're always top 10, 15 in the country. And Nebraska is a top 10 team year in, year out, and they have a very good program. Iowa State, which is always a top 10, 15 team as well, will be here."
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
JACORI TEEMER (REDSHIRT SENIOR/157 PROJECTED STARTER)
Missing 2022-23 season due to preseason injury...a 2022 All-American at 157 pounds (sixth-place at NCAA)...a 2022 Pac-12 Champion at 157 pounds...finished 21-22 season with a 22-3 record (three major decisions, one fall, and two tech-fall victories)...third-time NCAA qualifier (seeded No. 3)...defeated all opponents throughout regular season, all Pac-12 Championship matches, and first two NCAA Championship matchups...team-high 22 match win streak...won the Mountaineer Individual (157), went 4-0 with two major decision.
"Taking a year off is just very different for me and I'm a very competitive person so I'm just looking forward to getting out there competing with my teammates again tournament wise and duel wise."
KYLE PARCO (REDSHIRT JUNIOR/149 PROJECTED STARTER)
A 2023 Scholar All-American...a 2023 All-American at 149 pounds...a 2023 Pac-12 Champion at 149 pounds...finished 22-23 season with a 27-6 record (seven major decisions, three tech-fall victories)...14 match winning streak throughout season that extended into postseason...2-1 at Journeyman Collegiate Classic
"The thing that's up next for me is a national championship for the 2024 season, so I got my eyes set on that this year, and that's the only thing that I'm looking for."
If you want wrestling to be FUN, come to Arizona State ???? https://t.co/YnPkddDWCX
— Kyle Parco (@kyle_ocrap) November 18, 2022
COHLTON SCHULTZ (REDSHIRT JUNIOR/HWT PROJECTED STARTER)
A 2023 Final X 130 kg Champion...a 2023 US Open 130 kg GR Champion...a 2023 All-American in HWT (seventh-place at NCAA)...Pac-12 Champion at 285 pounds...finished 22-23 season with a 24-4 record (three major decisions, 10 falls)...12 match winning streak throughout season with five pins to his name...secured upset victory over Missouri for the Sun Devils with a major decision win over No. 7 Zach Elam
"I still haven't hit the biggest goal of being national champion, so that's definitely goal number one. After that is making sure the team's in the best place to bring home another trophy."
PROJECTED LINEUP
"If you were to look at the top five weight classes in the country, the first five, 125 to 157. I don't think there's a team in the country that can beat us," highlights Jones.
125
"Ranked top 2-3 in the country, Richard Figueroa, who won the Las Vegas Invitational, beat the NCAA finalists last year as a freshman and will be in the mix to win a national title. He'll be backed up by Damian Moreno and Tristan Mascarenas, and I think they'll do a nice job."
RICHARD FIGUEROA (REDSHIRT JUNIOR)
Went undefeated with 14 victories (two major decisions and one fall)...named to the Amateur Wrestling News 2023 All-Rookie Team...won the 125 bracket at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational...upset two top-20 opponents at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic
Sun Devils have started the Fall 2023 semester strong! Join us as we highlight our September Student-Athletes of the Month! First, we have Richard Figueroa from @ASUWrestling ! We are proud of you for your dedication and commitment to your academics! pic.twitter.com/Ud204u92Mc
— Sun Devil OSAD (@SunDevil_OSAD) October 12, 2023
TRISTAN MASCARENAS (REDSHIRT JUNIOR)
Finished the season with a 6-5 record (one fall and one major decision)...went undefeated at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic
133
"Julian Chlebove, who's wrestling in the World Championships, the U23 World Championships in Albania at the end of this month. I think we expect Julian to jump right in the lineup and compete for a national championship. He's going to hold down 133... Carter Dibert, a Pennsylvania State champion. Carter will compete at 133 and I think he'll do a nice job."
JULIAN CHLEBOVE (REDSHIRT JUNIOR)
Made the 2023 USA U23 World Team...had a career high 10-5 record throughout the 22-23 season...went 5-2 at the Midland Championships with two tech fall victories
CARTER DIBERT (SOPHOMORE)
Completed first season as a Sun Devil with a 4-2 record...went 3-0 at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic and earned his first collegiate victory over Gabe Vidlak of Oklahoma
141
"We have Jesse Vasquez. A four time California State champion, top 15 in the country. He'll be in competition to win a national championship and certainly be an All-American. Emilio Ysaguirre is right there too. He wrestled last year at the Pac 12 Championships at 141."
quick and clean ??@jessevasquezz /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/6ytqk9S1kq
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) February 6, 2023
JESSE VAZQUEZ (JUNIOR)
Finished 22-23 season with a 16-7 record (four major decisions and one tech-fall victory)...had two separate winning streaks of at least four wins throughout season...started the season hot with a 3-2 upset victory over No. 6 Allan Hart of Missouri
EMILIO YSAGUIRRE (SOPHOMORE)
Finished 22-23 season with an 8-6 record (three major decision victories)...completed the Pac-12 Championship with a 2-1 record (one major decision and one sudden victory)...won four of his five last matches at the end of the season
149
"Kyle Parco, one of the leaders of the team. Three time All-American, top three in the country. He's won the conference. Kaleb Larkin is a freshman and I think he could step in and wrestle right away, too."
KALEB LARKIN (FRESHMAN)
Had a 6-1 international record throughout 2022...throughout the 21-22 high school season, Larkin went 7-2 (all in 145)
"Kaleb Larkin is exciting -- his dad was a national champion here."
157
"Another three time All American, Jacori Teemer, another leader. Ranked top three in the country. Will compete for a national championship. Michael Kilic was a redshirt. Top recruit in high school a couple years ago. Redshirted last year and now is excited about being able to compete. We got the fort held down pretty good there."
MICHAEL KILIC (SOPHOMORE)
Finished the Keystone Classic 4-2, earning three major decisions...went 3-0 at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic, earning two tech-falls and one major decision
165
"We have a strong start with transfer Chance McLane. Having Chance brings a lot of excitement. He's competed at a high level for a long time. I really believe that he thinks that coming here can help him get on the podium, and that's the difference. And we have freshman Nicco Ruiz who is a strong contender out of California."
CHANCE MCLANE (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
Transfer from Oklahoma State...started 22-23 season 12-0 with first 11 wins being bonus-point victories...has a 17-3 record at 165 throughout the 22-23 season (seven falls, three technical falls and two major decisions)...is a three-time Montana state champion
NICCO RUIZ (FRESHMAN)
One of the top Class of 2023 prospects out of California...had a 5-2 international record throughout 2022... throughout 22-23 high school season, Ruiz went 5-1 (all in 160)...holds state titles in the 152 and 160 weight classes
Nicco Ruiz takes home the 152lb strap! pic.twitter.com/wHrtkKtuDL
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) October 24, 2021
"Nicco Ruiz comes out of the Bosco Prep School in California, where we have a pipeline of the Valencia Brothers and other kids that have come from Bosco to here. The tradition continues with both of them."
174, 184, and 197
"There is a lot of shuffling to still happen. Our intrasquad meet will tell us more. But we have a lot of good, strong options in these weight classes."
TONY NEGRON (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
Had a 10-14 record throughout 22-23 season (two major decisions and one pin)...went 3-0 at Journeymen Collegiate Classic, including an upset over No. 19 Lucas Ravno of Penn...achieved a 9-1 major decision at Pac-12 Championships, defeating Braden Smelser
CAEL VALENCIA (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE)
A 2023 NWCA Scholar All-American...named to the Amateur Wrestling News 2023 All-Rookie Team...finished the 22-23 season with an even 12-12 record (three sudden-victory wins)...competed in the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career...placed third at the Pac-12 Championships...had a five dual winning streak
Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week: Cael Valencia ??
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) February 7, 2023
?? https://t.co/O2d7QuLqge #ForksUp | #Pac12Wrestle pic.twitter.com/UOg7GPgx7V
ANTHONY MONTALVO (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
Had a 6-8 record throughout the 22-23 season (one major decision and one sudden victory)
JACOB MEISSNER (SOPHOMORE)
Completed 22-23 season with a 4-4 record...completed the Journeymen Collegiate Classic with a perfect 3-0 record
HWT
"Damion Schunke will start the season at heavyweight. Cohlton Schultz will be wrestling in the Pan American Games. He'll be wrestling in the U. S. Nationals to make the Olympic team, so he won't wrestle as much in the college season in the beginning."
DAMION SCHUNKE (SOPHOMORE)
Finished the Edinboro Open with a 2-2 record and two decision victories
ROUNDING OUT THE ROSTER
LOU FINCHER (133)
Competed in the Journeymen Collegiate Classic, where he earned his first victory of the season
CODY FOOTE (141)
Competed in four matches at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic
DAVID PALOSIKA (197)
Competed in six matches throughout the 22-23 season
RICKEY ROBERTO (157)
Earned a 4-5 record from competing in three open tournaments
MYKEY RAMOS (149)
Did not compete in the 22-23 season...has a 12-7 record throughout his freshman season (21-22)
MAX WILNER (165)
Throughout the 22-23 season, he went 4-13
SHAY ADDISON (174)
Competed the 22-23 season with a 4-3 record...ended season with a four-match winning streak
MAX BREWSTER (125)
Did not compete last season
COREY CAMDEN (141)
Did not compete last season...went 6-3 throughout 21-22 high school seeason
DIEGO CHAVEZ (197)
Made two appearances in the 2022 Keystone Classic
CANYON MANSFIELD (184)
Made an appearance during the duel against Cal Poly
GAVIN PRIEST (165)
Did not compete last season
ARTURO ANAYA (165)
Throughout the 2023 high school season, Anaya went 7-2...ha two 160 pounds second-place finishes at state
KAI ARGYROS (197)
Graduated high school in 21-22...had a 3-2 record
PHIL CHOBOT (197)
Had a 10-6 record throughout 22-23 high school season...earned the Washington state title in 182 pounds
AIDAN HERNANDEZ (157)
Had a 161-13 high school career record...took Missouri's 165 pound state title
LUKE ISAAK (174)
Won the state championship at 190 pound...had a 14-1 22-23 high school record, ending the season with a win streak of eight
DANIEL MIRANDA (133)
21-3 record throughout 22-23 high school season...a 132 pound state champion in Arizona
DAMIAN MORENO (125)
Has 160 career match wins with two DI state championships...recorded 72 wins in a row
TRENT WIKEL (184)
Had a 49-2 record throughout his senior year...holds state championships in two weight classes