(Photo: Reece Andrews/WCSN)
Following a fourth consecutive loss Friday against Cal Poly at Desert Financial Arena, No. 10 Arizona State (2-4) hopes to get back in the win column Sunday — less than 48 hours later — for a 1 p.m. (AZT) dual with Stanford (3-3) on The Farm.
The marquee match may come at the 149-pound weight class, where ASU No. 5 sophomore Kyle Parco will likely face off against No. 11 junior Jaden Abas, a former All-American who was named last week’s Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week after going 3-0 with a pair of major-decision wins.
At 165, 174 and 197 pounds, Stanford boasts three ranked wrestlers.
Either junior Tony Negron, who struggled in his return against Cal Poly, or freshman Rene Fragoso will match up against No. 4 165-pound senior Shane Griffith, who’s posted a 16-1 mark on the season as a two-time NCAA finalist.
Redshirt freshman Cael Valencia or sophomore Josh Nummer will have to deal with last year’s 174-pound Pac-12 champion, No. 23 senior Tyler Eischens. Nummer last started for the Sun Devils, losing an 8-2 decision.
The Sun Devils’ No. 19 senior Kordell Norfleet or junior Jonathon Fagen will have the challenge of taking down No. 25 junior Nick Stemmet, who boasts a 15-4 record at 197 pounds. In place of Norfleet, Fagen impressed Friday in an 8-1 decision won over Cal Poly redshirt freshman Kendall De La Rosa.
In the heavyweight class, an interesting storyline appears to be in play.
ASU sophomore David Palosika hasn’t performed well in the absence of No. 6 sophomore Cohlton Schultz, but the Cardinal’s competitors are only 2-4 in the class this season. Will Schultz return or will Palosika be given another opportunity to contribute? Friday’s dual came down to Palosika’s match, which he lost 10-2 by major decision.
The Sun Devils have decisively won their last two meets with the Cardinal by scores of 25-15 and 28-12, both of which were hosted at DFA.
