Dec. 29, 1997
Grapplers Sit in 4th Place after Day One of Midlands Inviational
TEMPE, Ariz.-- The fourth-ranked Arizona State wrestling team is in fourth place after the first two sessions of the 19-team Midlands Inivational (hosted by Northwestern) on Monday in Evanston, Ill.
Defending national champion Iowa paces the field at 69.00, while Illinois is second at 63.50. Oregon (61.50) barely trails the Illini in third. ASU is fourth at 51.00
Four Sun Devils remain in the hunt for individual championships Tuesday after advancing to their respective semifinals: sophomore Mike Kawamura (118 pounds), freshman Steve Blackford (150 pounds), junior Casey Strand (167 pounds) and senior Aaron Simpson (177 pounds).
In the consolation bracket, seniors Tracy Brown (142 pounds) and fourth-seeded Matt Suter (158 pounds) reached the quarterfinals in their weight classes.
The No. 5 seed, Blackford defeated fourth-seeded Tod Surmon of the Dave Schulz Wrestling Club 7-5 in Monday's quarterfinals. However, Suter, the fourth seed at 158 pounds, was ousted by No. 5 seed Ryan Cunningham of Central Michigan, 3-2. Second-seeded Strand outscored his opponents 25-8 in his first three bouts, finishing off seventh-seeded Kevin Welsh of Edinboro 3-1 in the quarterfinals. No. 2 seed Simpson decisioned No. 7 seed Joe Watson of Georgia State 3-2 to stay alive.
The competition concludes Tuesday, as Strand and Simpson look to repeat as individual champions in the event.
Here are ASU's complete results from Monday's Sessions I and II:
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET
118: (4) Mike Kawamura (ASU) m. dec. Steve Doerrer (Illinois), 11-3
(4) Mike Kawamura (ASU) dec. Matt Friatta (Ohio State), 5-2
(4) Mike Kawamura (ASU) dec. (5) Damon Broadbent (San Francisco State), 3-1
142: John Mare Bentley (North Carolina) dec. Adam Friedman (ASU), 9-2
150: (5) Steve Blackford (ASU) dec. Tim Ortman (Pennsylvania), 7-0
(5) Steve Blackford (ASU) dec. Daryll Christian (Oregon), 2-1
(5) Steve Blackford (ASU) dec. (4) Tod Surmon (Dave Schulz WC), 7-5
158: (4) Matt Suter (ASU) dec. Jessie Donch (Chicago State), 3-1
(4) Matt Suter (ASU) pinned Bucky Randolph (Eastern Illinois), 5:56
(5) Ryan Cunningham (Central Michigan) dec. (4) Matt Suter (ASU), 3-2
167: (2) Casey Strand (ASU) dec. Tom Bogan (North Carolina), 10-3
(2) Casey Strand (ASU) m. dec. Tim Duggan (Eastern Illinois), 12-4
(2) Casey Strand (ASU) dec. (7) Kevin Welsh (Edinboro), 3-1
Gill Journey (Chicago State) pinned Patrick Catarello (ASU), 2:59
177: (2) Aaron Simpson (ASU) pinned Evan Roberts (Chicago State), 1:30
(2) Aaron Simpson dec. Mikie Fickell (Pennsylvania), 9-2
(2) Aaron Simpson dec. (7) Joe Watson, 3-2
190: Tito Ortiz (Cal St. Bakersfield) dec. Jake Harman (ASU), 6-2
Hwt: Bandele Adeniyi-Bada (Pennsylvania) dec. Joe Micela (ASU), 10-4
CONSOLATION BRACKET
142: Malik Elliott (Northwestern) dec. Adam Friedman (ASU), 7-4
158: (4) Matt Suter dec. Jamie Groudle (North Carolina), 6-4
167: David Budlong (VMI) dec. Patrick Catarello (ASU), 5-3
190: Jake Harman (ASU) def. Matt Hoover (Iowa), inj. default
Jake Harman (ASU) dec. Ryan Finney (Manchester), 3-1
Pat Quirk (Illinois) dec. Jake Harman (ASU), 6-5
Hwt: Bobby Kellogg (Iowa State) dec. Joe Micela (ASU), 6-4