Jan. 26, 2002
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Arizona State's 11th-ranked wrestling squad won its first five matches to take a 22-0 lead on its way to a 28-15 defeat of Pac-10 opponent Cal Poly at Mott Gym in San Luis Obispo Saturday afternoon. ASU improves to 6-2 overall, 4-0 in Pac-10 action, while Cal Poly falls to 8-6, 3-2 against conference opponents.
ASU's match against the Mustangs was the first of two Pac-10 duals for the Sun Devils Saturday, as they left immediately following the win over Cal Poly to take on Cal State Bakersfield in Bakersfield at 7:30 p.m. PT for which results are not yet available.
The Sun Devils jumped out to a quick lead with a 16-3 major decision by redshirt freshman Mike Simpson over Justin Pichardo at 125 pounds, Simpson's 18th victory in his last 20 matches. Senior David Douglas then won by forfeit at 133, while redshirt freshman Evan Larkin earned a 5-2 decision over Nathan Ybarra at 141.
Senior Quinn Foster continued the ASU momentum, pinning Matt Cox in 2:55 at 149 pounds and junior Rocky Smart edged Robb Maxell 4-3 at 157 to put the Sun Devils up 22-0.
Cal Poly staged a comeback winning the next three matches to cut the ASU advantage to 22-15, but senior Erik Gladish and junior Kellan Fluckiger each picked up decisions, 5-0 and 5-2, respectively, to secure the Sun Devil victory.
Following ASU's night match with Cal State Bakersfield tonight, the Sun Devils return home to host an important four-match homestand beginning with No. 22 Nebraska, Friday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m., followed by Pac-10 rival Oregon, Sunday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m.
No. 11 Arizona State 28, Cal Poly 15
125: Mike Simpson (ASU) major dec. Justin Pichardo (CP), 16-3
133: David Douglas (ASU) wins by forfeit
141: Evan Larkin (ASU) dec. Nathan Ybarra (CP), 5-2
149: Quinn Foster (ASU) pinned Matt Cox (CP), 2:55
157: Rocky Smart (ASU) dec. Robb Maxwell (CP), 4-3
165: Brody Barrios (CP) dec. Nick Frost (ASU), 7-1
174: Steve Strange (CP) pinned Chris Petrie (ASU), 1:51
184: Chuck Sandlin (CP) dec. Will Carr (ASU), 18-4
197: Erik Gladish (ASU) dec. Martin Floreani (CP), 5-0
HWT: Kellan Fluckiger (ASU) dec. Dan Leahy (CP), 5-2