April 20, 2007
AKRON, Ohio - Kenny Lester, a redshirt freshman on the Arizona State University wrestling team, won a national title Friday on the first day of the 2007 University Nationals being held in Akron, Ohio, April 20-22. Lester competed at 120kg in Greco-Roman, winning four bouts in a row to take the gold.
Lester opened the tournament with a 3-0, 6-2 victory over Brandon Doran (Future Stars WC) in the first round before pinning Bryan Lillie (New England All-Stars) in the quarterfinals, 3-0, 1:39. In the semifinals, Lester defeated Wade Sauer (Titan WC), 3-0, 2-1, before defeating Joseph Sheffield (Fatto Fredo) in the finals, 4-2, 3-0.
Lester's victory marked the second time this month a member of the Sun Devil program has captured a national title as Todd Schavrien won the crown at 60kg at the FILA Junior National Championships in Las Vegas at the beginning of April.
Several Sun Devils will compete in the freestyle portion of the University Nationals with action opening Saturday and continuing through Sunday.