ASU Wrestling: Sun Devils start strong with opening weekend victories in North and South Dakota

(Photo: Travis David V. Whittaker/WCSN)

The No. 5 ranked Arizona State University wrestling team looked to start its season off on a high note with a road trip to the Dakotas this past weekend. A high note is an understatement.

On Saturday, the Sun Devils competed at the 48th Bison Open at North Dakota State University.

Overall, the Sun Devils impressed with No. 6 Ryan Millhof (125 lbs.), Josiah Kline (133), No. 11 Josh Maruca (149), Christian Pagdilao (157), No. 8 Josh Shields (165), No. 1 Zahid Valencia (174), and Kordell Norfleet (184) all leaving Fargo atop their respective weight classes.

Josh Kramer (133), Cory Crooks (141), Jacen Petersen (165) and Tanner Hall (HWT) all placed second, with Kramer and Petersen falling short to their teammates Kline and Shields, respectively.

ASU built off of its success from Saturday by defeating No. 18 South Dakota State 30-9 on Sunday in its first dual meet of the season.

The Sun Devils took care of business on the regular season’s opening weekend with the victory in Sioux Falls. SDSU took its only lead of the match 6-5, when defending NCAA champion and No. 1 wrestler at 133 lbs. Seth Gross pinned ASU’s Josiah Kline. After SDSU gained its short-lived lead, ASU outscored SDSU 24-4 throughout the rest of the meet.

ASU looks to continue its hot start to the season in Tempe against the University of North Carolina Saturday and its first tough test against the No. 2 Ohio State University Buckeyes Sunday.