SDSU drops dual to Sun Devils
SIOUX FALLS – South Dakota State’s Seth Gross began his national title defense with a first-period pin, but No. 11 Arizona State countered with three bonus-point victories of its own to defeat the 19th-ranked Jackrabbits, 30-9, in the season-opening dual for both squads before a crowd of 1,853 at the Sanford Pentagon.
The loss snapped the Jackrabbits’ school-record 14-match dual winning streak that began after a loss at Arizona State last November. It also marked the first dual for SDSU under head coach Damion Hahn.
A senior from Apple Valley, Minnesota, Gross gave the Jackrabbits their only lead of the dual at 6-5 when he pinned Josiah Kline in 2 minutes and 22 seconds. It was the 90th victory of Gross’ career with the Jackrabbits.
In the lone battle between nationally ranked wrestlers, Arizona State’s Joshua Maruca, ranked 11th, held off 17th-ranked Henry Pohlmeyer, 5-3.
The Sun Devils posted back-to-back bonus-point wins at 165 and 174 pounds. Joshua Shields, ranked third at 157 pounds, moved up to 165 for Arizona State and turned in a 16-4 major decision over Logan Peterson. Top-ranked and defending national champion Zahid Valencia followed with a first-period pin of Brett Bye.
SDSU’s only other victory came at 197 pounds, where Zach Carlson moved up a weight class and tallied a 9-1 major decision over Austyn Harris.
Arizona State’s other bonus-point win was an 18-0 technical fall victory by sixth-ranked Ryan Millhof in the opening bout at 125 pounds.
UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits are scheduled to host fourth-ranked Oklahoma State in home dual action Nov. 17. Start time is slated for 6:30 p.m. at Frost Arena.
#11 ARIZONA STATE 30, #19 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 9
125: #6 Ryan Millhof (ASU) tech. fall Gregory Coapstick (SDSU), 18-0 [2:05]
133: #1 Seth Gross (SDSU) def. Josiah Kline (ASU), by fall 2:22
141: Cory Crooks (ASU) dec. Rylee Molitor (SDSU), 10-4
149: #11 Joshua Maruca (ASU) dec. #17 Henry Pohlmeyer (SDSU), 5-3
157: Christian Pagdilao (ASU) dec. Colten Carlson (SDSU), 10-5
165: Joshua Shields (ASU) major dec. Logan Peterson (SDSU), 16-4
174: #1 Zahid Valencia (ASU) def. Brett Bye (SDSU), by fall 1:18
184: Kordell Norfleet (ASU) major dec. Samuel Grove (SDSU), 16-5
197: Zach Carlson (SDSU) major dec. Austyn Harris (ASU), 9-1
285: Brady Daniel (ASU) dec. Blake Wolters (SDSU), 9-8 [TB-1]
NOTES
Each team deducted one team point for mat control violations
Shields ranked third at 157 pounds
Team rankings from the NWCA coaches’ poll; individual rankings by FloWrestling
Check out Jackrabbit Wrestling at gojacks.com and on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.