(Photo: Travis David V Whittaker/WCSN)
After hosting a historic triple header this past weekend at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ. the No.6 (8-1) Arizona State wrestling team opens it’s Pac-12 conference schedule Friday, Jan. 17. to take on the Oregon State Beavers.
Looking ahead to Oregon State, Head Coach Zeke Jones stressed the importance of winning the conference.
“It’s a PAC-12 match, and those are really important to our program,” Jones said. “We want to compete hard, and compete at a high level, and make sure we’re getting better all the time.”
It’s no secret that Oregon State will be the underdog, but ASU will have to come out focused and intense in order to secure a comfortable win. The Devils have boasted strong starts in nearly all of their duals this season, thanks largely in part to sophomore No. 11 125-lb. Brandon Courtney. With an impressive 17-4 record thus far, he has provided a consistent spark to begin duals.
“I’ve been putting in the work,” Courtney said. “We practice really hard and I trust our coaches and the work I put in in the wrestling room. I think that’s what has given me an edge.”
On the other end of the spectrum, is Graduate Senior HWT Tanner Hall. Multiple times this season, the meet has come down to the heavyweight portion of the dual, and more often than not, Hall has delivered. He attributes this success to experience, hard work and preparation. He elaborated on his mindset as the team’s “caboose.”
“It’s nice for me to be able to have a ton of confidence in the guys in front of me,” Hall said. “I can always look forward to having the momentum when I step on the mat because of those guys, and that helps me mentally prepare.”
Jones spoke on the performance of his two wrestlers who, while massively different in size, are of equal importance to the squad.
“With Tanner being a senior leader, wherever he goes we go. He’s really hitting his best wrestling stretch at the right time,” Jones said. “With Courtney, he just keeps improving. He’s become a really polished wrestler, and has transformed into a national contender. He really has a shot to be standing on that podium in March.”
While those two key pieces will be showcasing their prowess Friday, the Sun Devils most prolific wrestler will not. Zahid Valencia is in Italy this week, preparing and bonding with the Olympic team in preparation for next summer’s Tokyo games. Redshirt sophomore Austin Clayton will wrestle in his place at 184-lb., Although this is no small loss, Hall is not worried about how he and his teammates will respond.
“As much as wrestling is a team sport, it really comes down to individuals,” Hall said. “I think we’ll be able to carry on quite nicely.”
Arizona State will wrestle in their annual Beauty and the Beast match with the ASU women’s gymnastics team at Desert Financial Arena. Events will start at 7:00 P.M. MST.
