Pins and forfeits dictated the ASU Wrestling team’s first home duel Sunday in a victory over Grand Canyon University.
With the help of three forfeits in the first five matches, the No. 20 Sun Devils (3-2) built a 27-0 lead over the Antelopes (1-1) but finished with a score of 39-16.
Grand Canyon responded with two pins over ASU sophomore Michael Swigart (165) and sophomore Eric Starks (174) to bring the score to 27-12.
The teams then traded victories at the 184, 197 and 285-pound weight classes, and the Antelopes outscored the Sun Devils 16-13 over the final five matches.
ASU coach Shawn Charles said the lineup was changed due to the forfeits, but he didn’t expect some of his guys to “not show up and compete hard.”
“A few of our guys underestimated their competition,” Charles said. “The other guys are going to come out there and try to win, too. We got caught a couple times on our back.”
No. 3 ASU junior Anthony Robles and No. 5 ASU junior Chris Drouin both remained undefeated on the season.
Robles won by forfeit, and Drouin pinned Grand Canyon freshman Kyle Wilson at the 5:36 mark.
The toughest match of the day came from No. 20 ASU junior Ben Ashmore when he topped previously undefeated Grand Canyon junior Todd Wilcox, 4-3.
Even with the victory, the Sun Devils were not happy with their overall performance.
“I don’t know what got into some of our guys,” Drouin said. “They really didn’t showcase their true skills.”
The last Grand Canyon victory came when Antelope sophomore Kevin Treftz defeated ASU freshman Anthony Pike 15-4.


