Two-time national champion Zahid Valencia backed up his preseason No. 1 rank at 184 lbs. by cruising to a victory in just over a minute against Cavalier junior Tyler Love. Z. Valencia racked up six points for the Devils with a quick pin (1:03) of his opponent for his first win of the season and the second ASU pin of the day.
All-American No. 6 Josh Shields dominated his match at 165 and was up 13-2 before recording the fall (6:23) on Sam Martino.
ASU's season got off to a winning start when No. 24 Brandon Courtney secured three points at 125 by knocking off Cavalier freshman Patrick McCormick in an 8-5 decision. After Courtney's win gave ASU the early lead, Josh Kramer put the Devils up 6-0 with a 9-5 upset over No. 19 Louie Hayes. The victory marked Kramer's first since he defeated Chattanooga's Franco Valdez on December of 2018.
Redshirt Sophomore Navonte Demison found himself down late in the third period of the 141 lbs. match, but recorded an escape and a takedown with seconds to go in the match to add another three points to the Devils' score.
No. 10 Anthony Valencia gave up just one point on an escape to Victor Marcelli of Virginia in an 8-1 rout at 174 lbs.
With the dual win well in hand, up 24-12 heading into the final bouts of the contest, No. 4 Tanner Hall's 3-1 decision sealed the Devils' first win of the season with his first win for the Devils since March of 2018.
No. 4 Arizona State - 27 No. 20 Virginia - 12
125: No. 24 Brandon Courtney (ASU) DEC Patrick McCormick (UV) - 8-5
133: Josh Kramer (ASU) DEC No. 19 Louie Hayes (UV) - 9-5
141: Navonte Demison (ASU) DEC Brian Courtney (UV) - 4-2
149: Denton Spencer (UV) FALL No. 14 Josh Maruca (ASU) - 2:52
157: Justin McCoy (UV) DEC No. 11 Jacori Teemer (ASU) - 7-4
165: No. 6 Josh Shields (ASU) FALL Sam Martino (UV) - 6:23
174: No. 10 Anthony Valencia (ASU) DEC Victor Marcelli (UV) - 8-1
184: No. 1 Zahid Valencia (ASU) FALL Tyler Love (UV) - 1:03
197: Jay Aiello (UV) DEC Cade Belshay (ASU) - 6-3
HWT: No. 4 Tanner Hall (ASU) DEC Quinn Miller (ASU) - 3-1
Later in the afternoon, the Sun Devil wrestling team found a way to pull ahead, and ultimately take down Big Ten opponent, No. 23 Purdue, 22-19 in its final dual of the day.
ASU found itself in a hole early after Brandon Courtney suffered a major decision loss to No. 11 ranked Devin Schroder, 10-2. A quick rebound followed in the next match at 133 lbs., when Josh Kramer picked up his second win of the afternoon by topping Marshall Craig, 12-4, for the major decision victory.
The Devils and Boilermakers would trade blows the remainder of the match with the Sun Devil seniors taking command late. Josh Maruca notched his first win of the 2019 season, while Josh Shields booked win No. 100 after earning a crucial major decision against Emil Soehnlen, 12-2. The two-time All-American entered the weekend just two wins shy of the century mark coming into todays duals.
Zahid Valencia proved again why he's one of the best college wrestlers in the country and in consideration for the Dan Hodge Award. It took Valencia just over one minute into the second period to snag six points for his team and deliver his second fall of the afternoon.
The finale between heavyweights Tanner Hall and David Eli would decide the overall outcome for the match. Hall stayed poised and delivered in a big way for the Sun Devils as he grabbed the tech fall win to cap off a 2-0 start for the No. 4 ranked team in the nation.
ASU returns home to host its first home duals of the year against Augustana (South Dakota) (Nov. 15/7 p.m.) and McKendree (Nov. 16/12 p.m.), before playing host to No. 1 Penn State Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.
No. 4 Arizona State - 22 No. 23 Purdue - 19
125: No. 11 Devin Schroder (PUR) MAJ No. 20 Brandon Courtney (ASU) -- 10-2
133: Josh Kramer (ASU) MAJ Marshall Craig (PUR) -- 12-4
141: Parker Filius (PUR) DEC Navonte Demison (ASU) -- 9-3
149: No. 17 Josh Maruca (ASU) DEC Nate Limmex (PUR) -- 4-0
157: No. 8 Kendall Coleman (PUR) wins by forfeit
165: No. 6 Josh Shields (ASU) MAJ Emil Soehnlen (PUR) -- 12-2
174: No. 9 Dylan Lydy (PUR) DEC No. 10 Anthony Valencia (ASU) -- 3-1
184: No. 1 Zahid Valencia (ASU) FALL Max Lyon (PUR) -- 4:01
197: Thomas Penola (PUR) DEC Cade Belshay (ASU) -- 3-2
HWT: No. 4 Tanner Hall (ASU) TF David Eli (PUR) -- 20-3 (5:47)
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