TEMPE, Ariz.—The Sun Devils open 2017 at Iowa State Friday at 5:30 pm MT before returning home for the first time in almost two months to host Cal Poly on Sunday in the Pac-12 opener (2 pm MT). This weekend starts the Devils' dual schedule in earnest after several tournaments over the last two months.
Fans are encouraged to wear GOLD, one of ASU's primary colors, as Sunday's match has been designated a "Gold Out".
BUY TICKETS FOR HOME MATCHES
Single game tickets can be purchased by calling the ASU ticket office at (480) 965-5333 or at the WFA box office starting 60 minutes prior to each match while matside seating can be purchased through the sales hotline at (480) 965-5812.
UP NEXT
After away-and-home duals this weekend, the Devils head cross-country to Hampton, Va. for the Virginia Duals before returning home Jan. 20 for a Pac-12 Network non-conference match vs. North Carolina.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Friday night brings a double dose of Sun Devils action at Iowa State as wrestling joins the Gym Devils in a "Beauty and the Beast" event. Both events will be live streamed on the ISU Athletics website (link on wrestling "schedule" page at TheSunDevils.com).
#GREENGAMEASU SUNDAY
Sunday's match is part of Sun Devil Athletics' green initiatives to drive fan awareness of sustainability and best practices. See page 2 of the notes package for facts and figures on the campaign and ASU's impact on sustainability.
SUNDAY ON PAC-12 NETWORK
ASU's Pac-12 home opener vs. Cal Poly on Sunday will be the Devils' first of the year on the Pac-12 Network Arizona. Jason Knapp will be doing play-by-play while ASU alum Anthony Robles returns for the third season to provide color commentary.
Watch live on the Pac-12 Network Arizona, on www.pac-12.com or on the Pac-12 Now mobile app.
SUCCESS AT MIDLANDS
The Sun Devils continued their comeback into national prominence with a third place finish at the 54th Annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships, their best finish as a team since winning the tournament in 1989.
Zahid Valencia (174), who is still undefeated on his career, and Tanner Hall (HWT) won individual weight class titles, marking the first time since 1996 the Devils have had multiple champions, just the fourth time in program history. Hall and Valencia became the 13th and 14th all-time individual winners for ASU, and the first since Eric Larkin in 2001.
Additionally, Anthony Valencia and Josh Shields each finished third, the first time since 1997 ASU has had four or more podium finishes at the tournament.
IN THE RECENT RANKINGS
As a team, Intermat ranks the Sun Devils No. 13, TrackWrestling No. 14, FloWrestling No. 14, WIN Magazine ranks ASU No. 15, and The Open Mat No. 18. The NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll ranks ASU No. 19 most recently. Individually, Zahid Valencia moves to No. 1 in his weight class in one of the polls for the first time mid-season (The Open Mat). The following are individual rankings for Sun Devils from several media outlets based on each athlete's weight class:
The Open Mat - Josh Shields (No. 16/157), Anthony Valencia (No. 12/165), Zahid Valencia (No. 1/174), Tanner Hall (No. 5/HWT)
Intermat - Josh Shields (No. 14/157), Anthony Valencia (No. 9/165), Zahid Valencia (No. 3/ 174), Tanner Hall (No. 4/HWT)
WIN Magazine - Josh Shields (No. 15/157), Anthony Valencia (No. 13/165), Zahid Valencia (No. 4/174), Tanner Hall (No. 7/HWT)
TrackWrestling - Ali Naser (No. 25/133), Josh Maruca (No. 20/149), Josh Shields (No. 7/157), Anthony Valencia (No. 9/165), Zahid Valencia (No. 3/174), Tanner Hall (No. 8/HWT)