(Photo: Reece Andrews/WCSN)
After its first dual win of the new season, Arizona State looks to build on its dominance in the early stages of the 2021-22 year at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 27.
The Sun Devils defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 22-12 last week following its commanding performance at the Mountaineer Open to start the season. They won eight individual championships, 11 major decisions and amassed seven pins in that tournament.
“We focus on being very offensive,” coach Zeke Jones said.
Clearly, that has been the case in ASU’s first two competitions of the season. The Sun Devils already have 13 major decision victories to start the season, and they have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
ASU has proven to be among one of the best wrestling teams in the nation thus far but isn’t satisfied with their results.
“I don’t even think I have a good season going so far,” freshman 141-pound Jesse Vasquez said. In true coach Jones fashion, the Sun Devils are hungry for more success.
Their offensive fortunes will clash with Utah Valley and Wyoming. The Wolverines amassed eight pins through six matches.
The PAC-12 Wrestler of the Week junior 133-pound Michael McGee will wrestle against tough competition from each school. Sophomore 133-pound Job Greenwood from Wyoming is ranked 29th in the nation with two pins, a tech fall, and a major decision victory thus far. Meanwhile, the Wolverines’ 133-pound Haiden Drury is ranked 39th in the nation with three major decision victories.
McGee is coming off a big win against the No. 10 wrestler in the nation, Anthony Madrigal. Certainly, he’s looking to improve upon last week’s success at the Cowboy Open on Saturday.
#7 Cohlton Schultz will have to look out for Utah Valley’s 285-pound Jayden Woodruff who already has four pins and eight wins to start the season. His quickest pin came in 51 seconds against Jacob Smith from Cal Baptist.
“Cohlton is really steady,” coach Jones said. “He’s a rock-solid, high character guy.”
