Dec. 30, 1997
Arizona State Takes Fourth at Midlands Invitational
Suter, Simpson Claim 3rd
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| Matt Suter. |
TEMPE, Ariz.-- Six Sun Devils finished in the top six to lead the fourth-ranked Arizona State wrestling team to a fourth-place finish at the Midlands Invitational in Evanston, Illinois Tuesday.
Defending national champion Iowa won the event with a score of 134.50, while Illinois was second at 113.50. Oregon claimed third at 92.50, and the Sun Devils followed with a total of 84.00.
Leading the way for ASU, seniors Matt Suter (158 pounds) and Aaron Simpson (177 pounds) both clinched third-place honors Tuesday night. Fourth-seeded Suter decisioned Central Michigan?s Ryan Cunningham in overtime, 2-1. The No. 5 seed, Cunningham had beaten Suter 3-2 in the semifinals.
The No. 2-seed, Simspon decisioned John Dattalo 4-3 and completed the tournament with a 5-1 record. His only loss was a 3-2 decision to third-seeded Jevon Herman of Illinois.
Freshman Steve Blackford took fourth in the 150-pound division, while junior Casey Strand finished fourth at 167 pounds. Sophomore Mike Kawamura finished fifth at 118 pounds, and senior Tracy Brown claimed sixth place in the 142-pound weight class.
The Sun Devils are back in action Saturday, Jan. 9, when they host Iowa State and New Mexico. The Cyclones are coached by Bobby Douglas, who led ASU to the 1988 NCAA Championship.
118 Pounds 5th Place: Mike Kawamura (ASU) dec. Lee Pritts (Clarion, 9-7 OT 142 Pounds 5th Place: Yoshi Nakamura (Penn) dec. Tracy Brown (ASU), 6-5 150 Pounds 3rd Place: Tod Surmon (Dave Schultz WC) dec. Steve Blackford (ASU), forfeit 158 Pounds 3rd Place: Matt Suter (ASU) dec. Ryan Cunningham (Central Michigan), 2-1 OT 167 Pounds 3rd Place: Matt Hughes (Panther WC) dec. Casey Strand (ASU), 7-3 177 Pounds: 3rd place: Aaron Simpson (ASU) dec. John Dattalo (Unattached), 4-3