Jan. 25, 2008
Play-by-Play (pdf)
MESA, Ariz. - Despite an exuberant crowd of 439 fans inside Mesa Jackrabbit Gym and an early lead, the Arizona State University wrestling team dropped a 27-14 decision to visiting Oregon State in a Pac-10 Conference dual that was held at Mesa High School Friday night. The loss, the fourth in a row for ASU, dropped the Sun Devils to 8-4 overall and 2-4 in the Pac-10 while the Beavers improved to 7-5 overall and 4-2 in the league.
"We started eight freshmen tonight and I feel our program is headed in the right direction," Head Coach Thom Ortiz said following the dual. "Three of those freshmen came away with wins and the other five put in 100-percent effort which tells me that this program has a bright future with these freshmen that are willing to come out here and put it on the line each and every match. Even in a loss, we are going to grow from this individually and as a team and come out ready to compete on Sunday as we work toward the Pac-10 Championships."
The dual fittingly opened at 125 pounds with freshman No. 15 Anthony Robles taking the mats inside Mesa High once again, but the first time as a collegiate wrestler. After some early jitters in the opening minutes of the bout, the former two-time state champion for the Jackrabbits regained his composure to score a 15-7 major decision over Jake Gonzales to stake the Sun Devils to a 4-0 lead. Robles, who graduated from MHS in 2006, remained undefeated in bouts held inside Jackrabbit Gym for his career.
At 133 pounds, freshman Todd Schavrien took the bout to his opponent, Clifton Ivanoff, and scored a 10-2 major decision, increasing the ASU lead to 8-0. The majors kept coming in the next three bouts, but, unfortunately for the Sun Devils, all three went to the Beavers, giving the guests a 12-8 lead. Rookies Chris Drouin (141), Orlando Jimenez (149) and Preston Pruett (157) each battled in their bouts before falling. OSU built its lead to 21-8 following two more victories, including a 4-2 decision for Keegan Davis over ASU's No. 14 Patrick Pitsch at 165 before Chris Platt pinned freshman Cory Nelson at 2:34 in the 174 bout.
The Sun Devils halted the Beavers winning streak with a pair of wins of their own, first with freshman No. 15 Brent Chriswell controlling Kyle Bressler for a 4-0 decision. His win was followed by a 5-0 decision for senior Jason Trulson at 197 pounds, putting the team score at 21-14 OSU, assuring the visitor's a team win. In the final bout of the night, freshman Kenny Lester and OSU's Travis Gardner did a lot of rolling around and changing control, but in the end, Gardner pinned the Sun Devil big man at 2:35 to complete the dual.
ASU will close out the weekend at home Sunday afternoon as the Ducks of Oregon invade Wells Fargo Arena for a 2 p.m. Pac-10 dual.
Oregon State at Arizona State
January 25 Mesa Jackrabbit Gym Mesa, Ariz.
Dual Official: Jim Ramierez Attendance: 439
125 - #15 Anthony Robles (AS) major Jake Gonzales (OS), 15-7
133 - Todd Schavrien (AS) major Clifton Ivanoff (OS), 10-2
141 - Heinrich Barnes (OS) major Chris Drouin (AS), 16-6
149 - Kyle Larson (OS) major Orlando Jimenez (AS), 15-3
157 - Dan Brascetta (OS) major Preston Pruett (AS), 13-1
165 - Keegan Davis (OS) decision #14 Patrick Pitsch (AS), 4-2
174 - Chris Platt (OS) pinned Cory Nelson (AS), 2:34
184 - #15 Brent Chriswell (AS) decision Kyle Bressler (OS), 4-0
197 - Jason Trulson (AS) decision Brice Arand (OS), 5-0
285 - Travis Gardner (OS) pinned Kenny Lester (AS), 2:35
Oregon State (7-5, 4-2 Pac-10) defeats Arizona State (8-4, 2-4), 27-14