Arizona State returns back to Tempe from the NCAA Wrestling tournament with 4 All-Americans, a 6th place team performance, and a National Champion.
No. 8 Richard Figueroa (ASU) faced off against No. 3 Drake Ayala (Iowa) in the 125 lbs championship match.
After a scoreless first period, Figueroa would get an escape point followed by a takedown to take a 4-0 lead into the third period. Figueroa would control the match and take a 7-2 victory, becoming a national champion.
“It doesn’t stop, one time doesn’t mean it’s the end. Gotta go for more than just one. Two, three as many times as I can. I’m gonna keep going and go my hardest, and being able to represent Arizona State University is a blessing,” said Richard Figueroa.
Figueroa is not content with one title, he is looking for more national championships. For ASU this is their first national championship since 2019 when Zahid Valencia won. Valencia was also the last Sun Devil to win two national titles, ‘18 and ‘19.
“Zahid set the standard when we got here 10 years ago. Now Richard, who is also from California, grew up watching Zahid win titles. I think that’s part of Richard’s aspirations. Not only does he want to do what Zahid did, win national titles, but I’m sure Richie wants to be the best in the world. So thats why I think he chose Arizona State, to do it,” said head coach Zeke Jones.
Arizona State had two finalists for the first time since 2011, when Anthony Robles and Bubba Jenkins won their titles.
No. 2 Jacori Teemer (ASU) faced off against No. 1 Levi Haines (Penn State) in the 157 lbs championship match. The match started off slow with Haines taking a 1-0 lead following a stalling call against Teemer.
In the third, Teemer chose neutral in hopes of getting a takedown, but Haines would get a takedown and pick up riding time sealing his 5-0 win.
The two other All-Americans for the Sun Devils:
149 lbs Kyle Parco who finished in 5th place.
HWT Cohlton Schultz who finished in 6th place.
The Sun Devils sent eight wrestlers to Kansas City for the NCAA tournament.
Other four wrestlers:
133 – Julian Chlebove (1-2 in the tournament)
141 – Jesse Vasquez (2-2 in the tournament)
174 – Cael Valencia (1-2 in the tournament)
184 – Tony Negron (0-2 in the tournament)
Although Chlebove, Vasquez, Valencia, and Negron were not All-Americans, they still performed well in the NCAA tournament.
“They all are big part of what we are trying to do and accomplish, we got to continue to get better,” said Jones.
The Sun Devils turned in a 6th place team title with a total of 64.5 points, finishing four straight tournament sin the top seven.
“There’s a new normal now with Arizona State Wrestling, to be a top 5-7 team, to take home trophies, multiple All-Americans, National Champions, and we are very proud but we are not satisfied,” said Jones.
The Sun Devils wrap up another wrestling season with new additions to their trophy case.
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