April 4, 2000
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Junior Steve Blackford, a 165-pounder from Des Moines, Iowa, capped off an outstanding season by being named Pac-10 Conference Wrestler of the Year by the league coaches, Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen announced Tuesday.
Blackford ended the 1999-2000 season with a 43-4 record which ties him for second on the Arizona State single-season list with Eddie Urbano who won 43 matches en route to the 150-pound NCAA title in 1985.
The Pac-10 Champion at 165 pounds, Blackford finished third at the NCAA Championships this year with his only loss coming in a 4-2 overtime decision in the semifinals to eventual national champion Don Pritzlaff of Wisconsin. With the third-place national finish, Blackford became the 21st Sun Devil to earn at least two All-America honors in his career.
Blackford will be one of seven NCAA Championships qualifiers returning in 2000-2001 for the Sun Devil squad which finished tied for 16th at the national tournament this year.
Boise State's Mike Young was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year, while Cal State Fullerton's T.J. Hill earned the inaugural Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year award.