A weekend that started out promising turned into one of disappointment as the No. 18 ASU wrestling team split its final two dual meets of the regular season at Wells Fargo Arena.
In spite of momentum gained from a dominating 32-12 victory over Fresno State Friday night, the Sun Devils could not close out a feisty No. 19 Northern Iowa team on Sunday as ASU lost a heartbreaker, 17-16.
ASU got off to a fast start Sunday as senior Nick Frost, competing in the final regular season match of his collegiate career, notched an impressive 14-5 major decision over Northern Iowa's Eric Pedretti to give his team a 4-0 lead early. Wins by Clifford Starks, Christian Staylor and Mike Simpson followed to give the Sun Devils a comfortable 13-3 lead.
But the lead would quickly evaporate as ASU lost three of its last four matches of the day to hand the visiting Panthers a comeback victory.
"You just have to learn from it," said sophomore Ryan Bader, who is ranked No. 2 in the nation. "We can't worry about it. We've have to put it behind us."
Bader lost 2-1 to NIU's Sean Stender, who is ranked No. 6.
The team's loss was particularly difficult for senior Ron Renzi, who went 0-2 for in the last regular season matches of his career. Renzi was the team's final hope Sunday as ASU clung to a 16-14 lead. Renzi ended up losing a hard-fought match to No. 4 Eric Hauan, 7-3.
"I'm very disappointed with myself," Renzi said. "I felt like I was in the match until I made some mistakes. It sucks, because it was my last home, regular season match."
In spite of the disappointing finish on Sunday, it's far from being the end of the road for ASU. The Sun Devils will host the Pac-10 Championships at Wells Fargo Arena from Feb. 29 to March 1.
"Usually, your last home dual meet is it; it means it's over," said Frost, who is also a senior. "But our fans will still get a chance to see us at the Pac-10's. I think we'll put on a good show for them.
"We're disappointed, but, overall, the big picture is the Pac-10's," Frost continued. "That's what's important."
Reach the reporter at vic.vela@asu.edu.
