(Photo: Jessica Carnivale/WCSN)
In what was a highly competitive weekend at the annual Journeymen Collegiate Classic in Troy, New York, the Arizona State wrestling team reinforced their status as one of the nation’s best. Facing a pair of tough opponents in Purdue and Virginia, the Sun Devils had three athletes take home tournament championships, and the remaining 10 place.
Zahid Valencia (184), Anthony Valencia (174) and Brandon Courtney (125) finished the tournament at number one in their respective weight classes. Zahid Valencia added to his already highly decorated career as a Devil with his latest triumph, earning a decisive win to lift the Sun Devils to victory on Saturday over Purdue. Zahid’s brother, Anthony impressed on both days of the tournament, and was joined on the podium by Courtney, who recovered to win in his weight class after taking a decision loss to start the match against Purdue.
Redshirt senior Josh Shields (165) and heavyweight graduate student Tanner Hall placed second after losing their final matches, while Josh Kramer, Cade Belshay and Austin Clayton also came in as second in their respective weight classes.
Among the 10 Sun Devils who wrestled on Sunday against Virginia, the team came away with 24 individual wins. Brandon Courtney paved the way to his first place finish with a victory to start the day, while Navonte Demison and Josh Kramer also notched victories against Cavalier opponents. Maruca’s 133 lb win was an upset, the first for the 2019-20 Sun Devils. Head coach Zeke Jones sent one of his deadliest trios to the mat in the latter stages of the match, with Josh Shields, Anthony Valencia, and Zahid Valencia securing the win. Tanner Hall closed it out with a 3-1 win, ending a very successful opening weekend for the team.
Looking ahead, ASU returns home this weekend to host Augustana on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m., and the following day host McKendree at 11:00 a.m. The team will continue to prepare for its blockbuster home matchup with Penn State on November 22.
In what was a highly competitive weekend at the annual Journeymen Collegiate Classic in Troy, New York, the Arizona State wrestling team reinforced their status as one of the nation’s best. Facing a pair of tough opponents in Purdue and Virginia, the Sun Devils had three athletes take home tournament championships, and the remaining 10 place.
Zahid Valencia (184), Anthony Valencia (174) and Brandon Courtney (125) finished the tournament at number one in their respective weight classes. Zahid Valencia added to his already highly decorated career as a Devil with his latest triumph, earning a decisive win to lift the Sun Devils to victory on Saturday over Purdue. Zahid’s brother, Anthony impressed on both days of the tournament, and was joined on the podium by Courtney, who recovered to win in his weight class after taking a decision loss to start the match against Purdue.
Redshirt senior Josh Shields (165) and heavyweight graduate student Tanner Hall placed second after losing their final matches, while Josh Kramer, Cade Belshay and Austin Clayton also came in as second in their respective weight classes.
Among the 10 Sun Devils who wrestled on Sunday against Virginia, the team came away with 24 individual wins. Brandon Courtney paved the way to his first place finish with a victory to start the day, while Navonte Demison and Josh Kramer also notched victories against Cavalier opponents. Maruca’s 133 lb win was an upset, the first for the 2019-20 Sun Devils. Head coach Zeke Jones sent one of his deadliest trios to the mat in the latter stages of the match, with Josh Shields, Anthony Valencia, and Zahid Valencia securing the win. Tanner Hall closed it out with a 3-1 win, ending a very successful opening weekend for the team.
Looking ahead, ASU returns home this weekend to host Augustana on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m., and the following day host McKendree at 11:00 a.m. The team will continue to prepare for its blockbuster home matchup with Penn State on November 22.
