(Photo: Reece Andrews/WCSN)
The Sun Devils continued to dominate on the mat against Pac-12 opponents today. ASU hasn’t lost in Pac-12 play since February 2, 2019, just over three years ago.
The Sun Devils won their fourth consecutive match this season in a 25-15 victory over Stanford.
“The guys are just competing,” coach Zeke Jones said. “They love to compete.”
The most exciting match was between reigning NCAA champion Shane Griffith and senior 165-pound Anthony Valencia. In the third period, Griffith led 5-0, but Valencia almost completed the ultimate comeback. He got a takedown, and quickly put Griffith on his back for a total of six points. After a stalemate call late in the bout, Griffith got a takedown to close it out. Valencia lost 7-6.
“I would’ve love to see Anthony win that bout on the comeback,” Jones said.
Freshman 149-pound Kyle Parco and junior 133-pound Michael McGee highlighted the match with a major decision and tech fall victories, respectively.
For McGee, it was his 100th career win.
“My 100th win. I feel like I’m getting old,” McGee said.
He defeated No. 29 Jackson DiSario, and made it look easy. He got two takedowns in the first period and had 10 total back points before defeating DiSario.
“McGee getting us started off was awesome,” Jones said.
Parco beat No. 12 Jaden Abas in a controversial match. The refs made several questionable calls in this bout. Regardless, Parco persevered and finished with an 11-3 win over the All-American.
“149 was a huge match,” Jones said. “Two All-Americans wrestling each other. I don’t know if people really knew that. So anytime you have guys, two All-Americans, wrestling each other, and for Kyle to dominate was huge.”
Junior 197-pound Kordell Norfleet and freshman 285-pound Cohlton Schultz solidified the Sun Devils win over Stanford.
Norfleet won a close bout against Nick Stemmet, which gave the Sun Devils a six-point cushion heading into Cohlton’s match against Peter Ming.
Schultz dominated his opponent. He amassed four takedowns and one escape with 12 total points in the bout.
Sophomore 157-pound Jacori Teemer also had a convincing win against Charlie Darracott. He won 9-3 with three takedowns and a little dance celebration at the end of his bout.
“I go out there, and I just have fun,” Teemer said. “I was literally taunting him to take my leg.”
ASU wrestles against Little Rock in Arkansas on Sunday and then will be back at Desert Financial Arena next weekend to wrestle Mizzou.
