Feb. 3, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. - Led by pins from junior All-American Eric Larkin and freshman Will Carr, Arizona State's No. 11 wrestling squad won seven matches, cruising to a 30-11 Pac-10 victory over Oregon at Wells Fargo Arena Sunday afternoon.
Coupled with their win over No. 23 Nebraska Friday night, the Sun Devils improve to 9-2 overall, 6-0 against conference opponents and extend their unbeaten streak at Wells Fargo Arena to five. Oregon loses its second straight, falling to 5-6 overall and 2-3 in the Pac-10.
With the dual starting at 149 pounds, Oregon held onto an 11-3 lead after winning three of the first four matches, only to have ASU respond by winning the next six straight. Carr's pin of Elias Soto at 184 ignited the streak, while Larkin's pin of Brian Watson at 141 in the final bout put the finishing touch on the ASU victory. The Ducks won one match by bonus points, an 18-2 technical by Shane Webster over freshman Chris Petrie at 174 pounds.
The Ducks put points on the board early with a close 7-6 decision by Casey Hunt over ASU senior Quinn Foster in the opening match at 149. Eleventh-ranked junior Rocky Smart tied the dual at 3 points, avoiding an upset at 157 with a close 3-2 decision over 17th-ranked Tony Overstake, only to have Oregon get the go-ahead points with sixth-ranked Eugene Harris's 3-1 decision over sophomore Nick Frost at 165.
Oregon increased its lead to 11-3 with a technical fall by Webster over Petrie at 174, its last win of the afternoon. Carr got ASU within two points, pinning Soto in 4:19, his second fall of the season. Then senior Erik Gladish gave the Sun Devils their first lead of the day with an 8-1 decision over Jake Leair at 197.
ASU didn't stop there, as junior Kellan Fluckiger, ranked ninth at heavyweight, won a hard-fought battle with 15th-ranked Eric Webb by a 3-2 decision in overtime. ASU was granted an automatic six points for an Oregon forfeit at 125 pounds, as Shaun Williams failed to make weight.
Also picking up a win for ASU was senior All-American David Douglas, earning a 6-1 decision over Jason Harless, while Larkin's 13th pin of the season over Watson in 4:09 capped the Sun Devil victory.
Although ASU has three regular season duals remaining, today's dual with Oregon was the final Pac-10 match on the 2001-02 slate and for the third straight season the Sun Devils will take an undefeated conference dual record to the Pac-10 Tournament, hosted this year by Oregon State, March 2-3.
Up next for the Sun Devils will be a dual with No. 5 Iowa State Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. MST at Wells Fargo Arena.
ARIZONA STATE WRESTLING RESULTS
#11 Arizona State 30, Oregon 11
149: Casey Hunt (UO) dec. Quinn Foster (ASU), 7-6
157: #11 Rocky Smart (ASU) dec. #17 Tony Overstake (UO), 3-2
165: #6 Eugene Harris (UO) dec. Nick Frost (ASU), 3-1
174: Shane Webster (UO) technical fall Chris Petrie (ASU), 18-2
184: Will Carr (ASU) pinned Elias Soto (UO), 4:29
197: #10 Erik Gladish (ASU) dec Jake Leair (UO), 8-1
HWT: #9 Kellan Fluckiger (ASU) dec. #15 Eric Webb (UO), 3-2 OT
125: #11 Mike Simpson (ASU) wins by forfeit
133: #6 David Douglas (ASU) dec. Jason Harless (UO), 6-1
141: #1 Eric Larkin (ASU) pinned Brian Watson (UO), 4:09
Attendance: 366
Team rankings according to NWCA Poll, individual rankings according to Amateur Wrestling News