When the ASU wrestling team competes in the Las Vegas Invitational this weekend, there will be postseason implications for many of its wrestlers.
Of the 200 wrestlers ranked in the nation's top 20, 86 will take to the mat at the tournament, including three top-ranked individuals in their weight class.
"That tournament is tough, and coming out of there with a big win is really going to set the tone for the year," 165-pound sophomore Patrick Pitsch said. "I want to wrestle my best every time and win because I have to beat them all eventually anyway."
The field for the invitational is set with 50 teams, nine of which are ranked in the top 25. The top-10 teams from last year's tournament will all be competing. ASU finished fourth last year in Las Vegas.
The Sun Devils will also get a look at some of their conference counterparts with seven Pac-10 schools slated to appear.
"There's some stellar competition there," coach Thom Ortiz said. "What's important about this is not so much the result of the whole team, but as individuals. They're trying to win as many matches as they can because when they get to nationals, the higher their seed the less difficult their route."
ASU senior heavyweight No. 4 Cain Velasquez and No. 6 Brian Stith (157 pounds) are the highest-ranking wrestlers in their individual weight classes at the invitational, while No. 11 Pitsch is fourth and senior No. 14 Ryan Bader (197 pounds) is the sixth-highest ranking wrestler in his weight class.
"I've taken runner-up the last two years (at the Las Vegas Invitational), so I'm looking not to fall short that one place again this year," Bader said.
The Sun Devils have lost their last two duals, both to top-10 nationally ranked schools and have slipped eight places in the rankings to No. 18. They are missing three starters until at least next semester.
"We have a couple holes, but we're going to do some damage," Pitsch said. "We still have a good group even though we're missing a couple guys."
Reach the reporter at derrik.miller@asu.edu.
