Sun Devil Wrestling Home Opener
Face Oregon State Before Traveling to Las Vegas
On Tap: The Arizona State wrestling team, ranked 6th in the pre-season, hosts Oregon State in it's home opener Thursday, December 4 at 5:00 p.m. in the University Activity Center. The Sun Devils will then travel to Las Vegas, Nevada to participate in the Las Vegas Invitational December 5 & 6.
Last Week: Top-ranked Oklahoma State defeated Arizona State 22-9 in Stillwater, Oklahoma this past weekend. OSU opened the meet by winning the first four matches. The teams then split the final six matches. ASU received victories from Steven Blackford at 150, Aaron Simpson at 177 and Joe Micela at heavyweight. Danny Felix (126) dropped a tough 2-1 decision to defending NCAA Champion Eric Guerrero. Other Sun Devils of note: Casey Strand dropped a 13-7 decision to Mark Smith, younger brother of ASU head coach Lee Roy Smith and Matt Suter lost 8-4 to the Cowboys Hardell Moore.
Opponents: Oregon State comes to Tempe ranked 18th in the country. This will be the Beavers first dual of the season, with their only action of the year coming from the Southern Oregon Open. In that tournament, Jason Buce (118), Eric Jorgenson (142) and Mat Orndorff (hwt) each won individual titles in their respective weight classes. Jim Kutz (158) and Shane Zajac (190) each took second. Oscar Wood (134), who did not wrestle at the Southern Oregon Open, is currently ranked third in the country by Amateur Wrestling News. Buce and Zajac were both selected as the pre-season No.1 in their weight classes by the Pac-10. In Las Vegas, the Devils will be one of 42 teams competing in what amounts to being a mini-national tournament. Oklahoma State, Edinboro, Iowa State, Illinois, Nebraska and Michigan are just a few of the teams that will be competing.
Last Year: ASU won three matches last season against Oregon State. The Sun Devils won 23-17 at the College Duals (1/2/97), 23-10 at the Virginia Duals (1/11/97) and 35-3 in Corvallis, Oregon (1/31/97). ASU also had a successful weekend at last year's Las Vegas Invitational. As a team, the Devils placed fifth. Individually, Matt Suter (158) placed second, Casey Strand (167) third, Shawn Ford (126) third and Aaron Simpson (177) fifth.