ASU Wrestling: Sun Devils defeat Oklahoma in home opener

(Photo: Reece Andrews/WCSN)

(Photo: Reece Andrews/WCSN)

Arizona State took down the No. 17 Oklahoma Sooners 22-12 behind a dominant performance in the neutral position for its first dual victory of the season. ASU amassed 18 total takedowns throughout the match.

“We focus on being very offensive,” coach Jones said. “We spend some time working on defense, but we really need to score points.”

Scoring points and getting takedowns helped the Sun Devils earn several decisions and major decisions to lament themselves as one of the best wrestling teams in the nation.

Two Sun Devils scored four takedowns in their matches- Jesse Vasquez and Jacori Teemer. ASU won its first six bouts to take an early 19-0 lead over Oklahoma, highlighted by major decision victories by junior 133-pound Michael McGee and freshman 141-pound Jesse Vasquez.

“It’s an electric, eccentric feeling,” Vasquez said. “This is my first official home dual as an ASU Sun Devil, and man, I haven’t felt a crowd like that except for at my own state tournament.”

Vasquez took down Jacob Butler four times and scored two back points and a reversal in his debut at Desert Financial Arena. 125-pound Brandon Courtney defeated #20, Joey Prata, behind a couple of takedowns. 133-pound Michael McGee earned the Sun Devils’ first major decision victory of the night against #10 Anthony Madrigal. He stayed lower than his opponent for most of the match which helped him amass three takedowns, three escapes, and one reversal.

After Vasquez’s bout, sophomore 157-pound Jacori Teemer boasted ASU’s third decision victory for Teemer’s first win over #18 Justin Thomas.

“Man, that felt good,” Teemer said. “Two years ago he beat me on the backside of a tournament. My mind wasn’t right. I lost 11 pounds the night before and my body wasn’t feeling good. Last year, he beat me at OU. I was actually winning the whole match until he pulled my knee out.”

After the Teemer’s bout, tensions escalated between the two teams after Teemer’s baby-cradle celebration.

“I think he didn’t like my celebration,” Teemer said. After Teemer celebrated, OU coaches and wrestlers rushed onto the mat in frustration over Jacori’s dance.

He mentioned that it was an act of spite from the last time the two wrestled. According to Teemer, Thomas pointed to his wrist to celebrate his victory over Teemer who suffered an injury in that match.

After winning six straight bouts, the Sun Devils dropped the next three, allowing Oklahoma to come within seven points of ASU.

Freshman 174-pound Zane Coleman lost by major decision to Anthony Mantanona, followed by Darrien Roberts’ pin to defeat freshman 174-pound Josh Nummer.

Junior 197-pound Kordell Norfleet lost the final bout for the Sun Devils in a closely fought match. In the final 30 seconds, #6 Jake Woodley took down Norfleet to win by a decision 5-3.

“The Oklahoma kid out fought Kordell,” Jones said. “Kordell has got to fight for seven minutes, not five.”

For most of the match, the Sun Devils dominated the mat. Several ASU wrestlers slammed their foes onto the mat, indicating their offensive dominance both in neutral and top positions. This played a part in ASU’s riding time success.

“I think they had riding time in the first six matches,” Jones said. “I think the statistics tell you if you get riding time in matches, 95% of the time you’re going to win those matches.”

Overall, the Sun Devils showcased a dominant performance on almost every stage of the mat. From takedowns to riding time, ASU looked like a menace against Oklahoma.