Jan. 7, 2011
HAMPTON, Va. - Anthony Robles and Bubba Jenkins both captured individual wins, but it was not enough as the No. 25 Arizona State University wrestling team dropped a 30-7 decision to No. 23 Kent State in the quarterfinals of the 31st Virginia Duals on Friday afternoon, falling to the consolation rounds of the team dual tournament in Hampton, Va. The Sun Devils slipped to 4-3 on the year while the Golden Flashes improved to 6-4.
Robles and No. 10 Nic Bedelyon scrambled around the mat, both looking for an edge to score, but neither could to make it scoreless through one. Robles chose down to open the second and got the reverse before adding a pair of three near-fall point calls to take the 8-0 lead into the third where Bedelyon chose neutral. The only scoring that took place in the final period came with Robles earning the riding time point to make it a 9-0 major decision and move him into a tie for 19th all-time in ASU history with Head Coach Shawn Charles with 102 career wins.
David Prado shot in on a leg to open his match at 133 pounds with Tyler Small, but the KSU wrestler eventually came up with the takedown to take a 2-0 lead. But, Prado fought from the bottom and scored a reversal to tie the match at 2-2 before closing out the period with 53 seconds of riding time. Prado chose down to start the second, but was unable to escape before the end of the period. Tied at 2-2, Small chose neutral and scored the takedown with just over one minute to go and held Prado down, ending the match with the Golden Flash winning, 5-2.
At 141, Kalin Goodsite went down early on a takedown by Chase Skonieczny and nearly picked up a defensive pin on a roll through, but gave up two near-fall points later in the period to trail, 4-0. Skonieczny chose down to begin the second and reversed Goodsite to move into a lead of 6-0 at the end of two. The final stanza began with Goodsite selecting neutral and pushing to get the takedown. Skonieczny scored another takedown and added the riding time bonus for a 9-0 major decision and a 7-4 lead in the team standings.
In the 149 match, Tai Fukumoto trailed 2-0 after the first period and 3-0 after Tommy Sassfy escaped to start the second period. Sassfy added a takedown before Fukumoto escaped and the match entered the third period with ASU down, 5-1. Fukumoto escaped to open the final stanza to make it 5-2, but two more escapes is all he could add in the period as Sassfy went on to win, 11-4, pushing the KSU lead to 10-4.
Jenkins opened his match 157 with a takedown of Mallie Shuster, taking him to his back and nearly pinning him before being awarded three near-fall points. Jenkins added another takedown for a 7-1 lead through one and chose down to open the second period. After an escape, Jenkins hit a super fast duck under to make it 10-1 and get the local fans cheering once again. Shuster escaped and Jenkins again took him down to carry a 12-2 lead into the third. The final stanza opened with both men on their feet and Jenkins looking to have secured a takedown, but Shuster was awarded the score and three near-fall points to make it a 12-7 final for Jenkins.
After a forfeit at 165 put KSU ahead, 16-7, ASU went to the heavier weights needing wins to get the team victory, but were unable to do so. At 174, Eric Starks trailed 2-0 after the first period with Brandonn Johnson taking down and scoring a reverse and two near-fall points to jump ahead, 6-0, and was ahead 8-0 through two (two stalling points). Starks chose neutral to open the third and immediately went on the attack, nearly scoring on several shots but unable to connect as Johnson took the match, 9-0, and adding four point to KSU’s lead (20-7).
Jake Meredith had a strange start to his match as he was dinged for one penalty point (illegal contact to the face) for the only scoring in the period. Meredith chose down to open the second period and was unable to escape, keeping the score a 1-0 for Casey Newburg. The third opened with Newburg escaping for a 2-0 lead before adding a quick takedown and a 4-0 lead. Newburg added the riding time bonus point at the end of the match to win with a 5-0 decision. With the three team points, the team decision was assured to go for the Golden Flashes as they led by 16 points (23-7) with only 12 points available in the final two matches.
At 197, Luke Macchiaroli took a 2-1 lead on a quick step behind on No. 5 Dustin Kilgore before the previously top-ranked wrestler in the nation secured a pair of takedowns for a 5-3 lead through one. In the second, Kilgore chose down and escaped and then scored on a takedown to extend his lead to 8-3. In the third, Macchiaroli chose neutral, but was taken down to fall in an 11-3 major decision.
The final match of the day came at heavyweight where Levi Cooper faced No. 17 Brendan Barlow and fell behind early, 2-1. The second period opened with Cooper trailing, 4-1, and the Sun Devil selecting down. Cooper escaped quickly, but was taken down again by Barlow, who led, 6-2, before selecting down to open the third. Cooper tried to turn Barlow, but the Golden Flash was able to reverse the Sun Devil. Barlow added two more takedowns to make the final a 12-4 major and adds four team points to the final of 31-7.
With the loss, the Sun Devils will next wrestle at 10 a.m. Saturday in the elimination round of the consolation bracket where they will meet Virginia. The winner of that dual will assure itself of finishing in the Top 8 while the loser will be eliminated from the tournament.
#23 Kent State vs. #25 Arizona State
Virginia Duals - Quarterfinals
Friday, January 7, 2011 • Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, Va.)
125 - #2 Anthony Robles (AS) major #10 Nic Bedelyon, 9-0
133 - Tyler Small (KS) dec. David Prado, 5-2
141 - Chase Skonieczny (KS) major Kalin Goodsite, 9-0
149 - Tommy Sassfy (KS) dec. Tai Fukumoto, 10-4
157 - #4 Bubba Jenkins (AS) dec. Mallie Shuster, 12-7
165 - Ross Tice (KS) won by forfeit
174 - Brandonn Johnson (KS) major Eric Starks, 9-0
184 - Casey Newburg (KS) dec. Jake Meredith, 5-0
197 - #5 Dustin Kilgore (KS) major Luke Macchiaroli, 11-3
285 - #17 Brendan Barlow (KS) major Levi Cooper, 12-4
ASU faces Virginia in the consolation elimination round