Zeke Jones (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) SAN FRANCISCO -- The Pac-12 Conference has announced the 2018 Pac-12 Wrestling awards as voted on by the Pac-12 coaches. ARIZONA STATE swept the Conference honors as Zahid Valencia repeated as Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year and teammate Kordell Norfleet was voted Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. ARIZONA STATE's Zeke Jones was selected Pac-12 Wrestling Coach of the Year.
PAC-12 WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Zahid Valencia, Arizona State
Valencia becomes the first Pac-12 wrestler to repeat as Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year since Arizona State's Eric Larkin earned the honor three straight seasons (2001-03). The sophomore capped an undefeated season with an NCAA title at 174 pounds, finishing the year with a perfect 32-0 record. The two-time All-American became the 11th Sun Devil to earn an NCAA championship. The Bellflower, Calif., native successfully defended his Pac-12 title at 174 pounds and boasts a two-year record of 70-1. During the 2017-18 season, he twice earned Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week honors and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at both the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and the Virginia Duals. He recorded nine falls, including his NCAA quarterfinal match win that occurred in 0:38, and paced the Sun Devils with 63 points.
PAC-12 FRESHMAN/NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Kordell Norfleet, Arizona State
Norfleet, who hails from Chicago, Ill., took top honors at the Pac-12 Championships at 184 pounds to qualify for the NCAA Championships. He finished the season with a 12-13 record, 7-7 in dual meets, and becomes just the third Sun Devil to be tabbed Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year.
PAC-12 WRESTLING COACH OF THE YEAR: Zeke Jones, Arizona State
Jones earns his second consecutive Pac-12 Wrestling Coach of the Year honor. Jones led the Sun Devils to a top 10 ranking this season and a successful defense of their Pac-12 title as he had six wrestlers top the podium at the Pac-12 Championships. Under the guidance of Jones, the Sun Devils went on to post a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, its highest team finish since 2010-11, and collected three All-America honors (Valencia, Jason Tsirtsis and Josh Shields).
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