An already unforgettable season for ASU wrestling became even better on Wednesday as two key members of the program received Pac-12 honors.
ASU redshirt freshman Zahid Valencia was named the Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year, and head coach Zeke Jones took home the Coach of Year award in the conference. Valencia was also given the Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year award.
“It is a great feeling to know that the hard work and sacrifice that I put in throughout the year does not go unnoticed,” Valencia told The State Press.
Two words: Zahid Valencia.@ASUWrestling's Zahid Valencia has been named the 2017 #Pac12Wrestle Freshman AND Wrestler of the Year! pic.twitter.com/ZkHFKsS9Vr
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 29, 2017
Valencia outperformed his competition at the Pac-12 championships in last month in California, winning the 174 lbs. division and being named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. It was the first of many postseason awards for the standout freshman.
Valencia went on to earn his first All-American honor after finishing third at the NCAA wrestling Championships, completing his first full season with a 38-1 record.
As for Jones, he guided ASU wrestling to its first conference title since 2006 after being hired to led the program in 2014.
“Everyone owns a piece of this one,” Jones said of his award via text message. “Everyone’s busting their butts for our team and giving our men the opportunity to be successful.”
Jones credited his coaching staff for their hard work behind the scenes. He had five ASU wrestlers compete at the NCAA championships, which were all part of his first top-ranked recruiting class in 2015.
“It has been fun to watch them make the commitment to be the best,” Jones said. “If they continue to work they can get everything they set out to do when they came to Arizona State University.”
Reach the reporter at fcorral1@asu.edu or follow @felipecorraljr on Twitter.
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