TEMPE, Ariz. - The Little Rock wrestling team opened their challenging 2021 schedule at #11 Arizona State this afternoon, dropping the dual 39-3 but adding seven wins in extra matches that count toward NCAA qualification. Redshirt freshman
Triston Wills took home a dual victory in his debut as a Trojan, picking up a 7-1 decision at 174 pounds.
"Today was a tough day," said head coach
Neil Erisman. "We wrestled an incredibly tough and talented team and we now know what we have to work on. We're looking for our guys to bounce back and respond with some grit and toughness next week."
The Trojans won every bout at 174 pounds, as Wills also earned a 17-1 technical fall during the extra matches. He was joined by freshman
Tanner Mendoza, who also went 2-0 by collecting two decisions over the Sun Devils in that weight class.
"Triston had a great day with three takedowns in his big win and some back points," added Coach Erisman. "Tanner also had some great wins. I'm proud of our young bucks."
Four other members of #LittleRocksTeam were right in the thick of the dual, dropping bouts by six or less points.
Jayden Carson showed grit in his matchup against #6 Brandon Courtney at 125 pounds, only being beaten out by a 15-11 decision. Meanwhile, both
Kyle Prewitt and
Conner Ward held their opponents to just six-point wins.
Gabe Beyer rounded out the group as a welcome addition to the Trojans' upper weights, holding Arizona State's heavyweight to a 2-0 decision.
Redshirt freshman Prewitt had success in the extra matches, picking up a 21-8 major decision to go 1-1 on the day. At 197, both true freshman
Brooks Sacharczyk and senior
Dylan Johnson added major decisions over the Sun Devil backup to finish 1-1 each. Heavyweights
Josiah Hill and Beyer also came away with a record of 1-1 this afternoon. Hill collected a 10-2 major decision over the Arizona State backup while Beyer won by decision, 4-1.
"Josiah is a big man that scored a lot of a takedowns today," said Coach Erisman. "We're excited by him and Brooks, who was lighting up the scoreboard left and right."
With lessons learned in the first test of the year, Trojans will have a week to recuperate and get ready for a quad meet next Sunday, Jan. 10 at Oklahoma State. Along with the Cowboys, Little Rock will face both Chattanooga and Pac-12 foes Oregon State.
DUAL RESULTS
125: #6 Brandon Courtney (ASU) DEC
Jayden Carson, 15-11
133: #15 Michael McGee (ASU) MD
Paul Bianchi, 10-2
141: Peter LiPari (ASU) DEC
Conner Ward, 6-0
149: Cory Crooks (ASU) DEC
Kyle Prewitt, 9-3
157: #9 Jacori Teemer (ASU) F
Noah Aziere, 0:38
165: Anthony Valencia (ASU) TF
Alex Hernandez, 20-3, 5:21
174:
Triston Wills DEC Zane Coleman (ASU), 7-1
184: Cade Belshay (ASU) F
Zane Davis, 0:37
197: #8 Kordell Norfleet (ASU) F
Dylan Johnson, 1:41
285: Cohlton Schultz (ASU) DEC
Gabe Beyer, 2-0
EXTRA MATCHES
125: #6 Brandon Courtney (ASU) TF
Hasan Krigger, 24-8, 7:00
133: #15 Michael McGee (ASU) MD
Jaylen Carson, 19-5
149:
Kyle Prewitt MD Julian Chlebove (ASU), 21-8
149: Jesse Vasquez (ASU) DEC
Joseph Bianchi, 12-6
149: Cory Crooks (ASU) DEC
Joseph Bianchi, 3-1
165: Anthony Valencia (ASU) F
Zeke Beach, 0:37
174:
Tanner Mendoza DEC Ryan Moltz (ASU), 9-3
174:
Tanner Mendoza DEC Alejandro Torres (ASU), 6-5
174:
Triston Wills TF Ryan Moltz (ASU), 17-1 2:55
197:
Dylan Johnson MD David Palosika (ASU), 14-1
197: Brooks Sacharcyzk MD David Palosika (ASU), 16-3
197: #8 Kordell Norfleet (ASU) TF
Brooks Sacharczyk, 20-4, 5:20
285:
Josiah Hill MD Chad Porter (ASU), 10-2
285:
Gabe Beyer DEC Chad Porter (ASU), 4-1
285: Cohlton Schultz (ASU) F
Josiah Hill, 1:11
For the latest information on Little Rock Wrestling, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWRES on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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