The Sun Devil wrestling team got off to a good start to the duel meet season on Sunday by defeating both Grand Canyon University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at their home opener inside Wells Fargo Arena.
ASU (2-0) posted a 31-10 defeat of ERAU and a 27-16 victory over GCU in front of nearly a thousand fans at the first annual Arizona Western Festival. Redshirt senior Kyle DeBerry (157 lbs.), senior Eric Starks (174) and redshirt freshman Nathan Hoffer (141) led the Sun Devils with 2-0 marks on the day.
“There were some surprises for me at the meet,” coach Shawn Charles said. “But I will have to say, both Embry-Riddle and Grand Canyon have really good programs. I give props to their coaches.”
As Charles noted, neither the Eagles nor the ‘Lopes went down without a fight.
ASU and ERAU were tied at 10 through six bouts before the Sun Devil heavyweights flexed their muscles with four straight victories to end the match. Starks broke the tie and gave ASU a 13-10 lead before redshirt freshman Bobby Bowman (184), redshirt freshman Tommy Burriel (197) and redshirt junior Michael Hawkins (285) ripped off three straight pins for the Sun Devils.
Against the ‘Lopes, who are ranked fifth in the nation at D-II, ASU faced a 10-9 deficit through six matches. In this match it was the middleweights who bailed out the Sun Devils. Redshirt freshmen Shane McGough (133) and Hoffer recorded pins, and DeBerry’s win by injury default over GCU All-American Ted Bristol sealed the win for the Sun Devils.
“Anytime that we go out there and compete,” Charles said of his freshman-laden squad, “I think we’re making strides, no matter win, lose or draw.”
These 2011 Sun Devils may be young, but they’re not dumb. The team realizes there is still much room for improvement out on the mat despite the pair of wins and the fact that 11 different Sun Devils had at least one victory on the day.
“I think all the guys are committed to what we’re doing,” Charles said, “and now it’s just a matter of them being young and inexperienced. They need to mature as the season goes along in order for us to be the team that we want to be.”
One Sun Devil freshman that is maturing very quickly is Hoffer, who moved down a weight class after wrestling at 149 lbs. last year. In addition to his pin against GCU, Hoffer earned a tough 7-5 victory over ERAU’s Josh Chang, a two-time national qualifier.
But like the rest of the Sun Devils, Hoffer kept his success on Sunday in perspective.
“We have areas to work on,” Hoffer said, “and we’re going to get right to work (this week) to get to where we want to be at the end of the year, which is Pac-12 champions and national contenders.”
Though Hoffer directed the focus back toward the team when questioned about his hot individual start this season, Charles was quick to dish out praise for the Anchorage, Alaska native that is quickly becoming one of ASU’s elite grapplers.
“Nathan Hoffer does everything we ask him to,” Charles said. “He works hard in the room, he works hard during matches. His work ethic and his desire to win are second to none.”
In practice this week, the coaching staff will look to further cultivate ASU’s work ethic and technique with personalized battle strategies for each wrestler in preparation for the Nov. 26 Journeymen/ASICS Northeast Duals in Troy, New York.
“We’re basically working on an individual game plan for each wrestler as to what he’s going to do out on the mat,” Charles said. “It’s no different than what a football coach does with his offense or defensive scheme.”
The first of the Sun Devils’ four duals on Saturday will begin at 9 a.m. ET on Sat. In the meantime, ASU is hosting the NWCA All-Star Wrestling Classic on Monday, Nov. 21 at Wells Fargo Arena.
Reach the reporter at kjnewma2@asu.edu
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