Perhaps the saying “It feels good to be back” has never been more appropriate than for the ASU wrestling team.

Left for dead after the University cut the program’s funding, the Sun Devils are happy to be through the tumultuous offseason and are ready to be back on the mat.

“It's exciting to be back and to get to see where we are and how we are physically,” coach Thom Ortiz said. “It's not to say we aren't good, but it'll be nice to see what we need to do [to improve].”

Intrasquad competition began Thursday and continues into Saturday. The team begins its 47th season with its annual wrestle-offs, which pit teammates against one another for starting rights.

Former ASU wrestlers and current Mixed Martial Arts contenders Ryan “Darth” Bader and C.B. “The Doberman” Dollaway will join Ortiz and his staff, serving as temporary coaches for the event.

Thursday’s wrestle-offs consisted of seven preliminary matches to determine who would advance into Saturday’s finals. Those matches determine the final starting roles for weight classes ranging from 125 pounds to 285 pounds. Two ASU athletes will compete for each position, with the exception of the 133-pound and 157-pound weight classes.

Mini tournaments between the 133-pound and 157-pound weight classes continue Saturday, as junior Tyler Bowles awaits junior Angel Alegre in the 133-pound weight class and sophomore Jerrad Trulson takes on freshman Josh Calteux in the 157-pound weight class. The winner of the 133-pound match will face sophomore Orlando Jimenez and the victor of the 157-pound match will face freshman Michael Swigart later in the week to decide the final starting positions.

Saturday will feature 10 total matches with two exhibitions. In addition, there will be a free clinic put on by the Sun Devil coaching staff before the wrestle-offs begin. Event registration is at 8:30 a.m. at the Riches Wrestling Complex on Tempe campus and is open to the public.

“They're going to find out where they are physically,” Ortiz said. “Then [the coaches are] going to find out their strengths and we'll exploit them. We'll find out their weakness and work on that, too. But really, it just feels good to be back.”

Following Saturday’s wrestle-offs, the squad will have two weeks before opening play against UC Davis.

Reach the reporter at joshua.spivack@asu.edu.