Fresh off a 32-6 win over the Wyoming Cowboys Friday night, the #4 ranked OSU Cowboys (3-0) face the 21st ranked Arizona State Sun Devils (1-1) at 1:00 p.m. in Gallagher Iba Arena. As usual home matches are broadcast on ESPN+ but get your butt in a seat if possible as this will be the culmination of a big recruiting weekend, so Poke fans should want to show out.
Arizona State finished 6th at the NCAA tournament last year and was excited to join the Big XII conference this year. ASU had some bad news over the summer as their longtime RTC – Sunkist Kids – ceased operations. ASU’s loss was OSU’s gain as it allowed World Bronze Medalist Zahid Valencia to come to Stillwater to be part of the Cowboy RTC. Last year, OSU beat ASU 28-9 with a big win by Troy Spratley
As for this year’s Sun Devil team, they beat Long Island University 38-3 (157 pounder Michael Kilic the only loss), then getting whopped by 12th ranked Illinois 37-6, with the only win coming from a pin by Richard Figueroa at 125. It’s hard to say whether that means Illinois is really good this year or ASU is worse than expected. ASU has been coached for the last 10 years by former ASU National Champion Zeke Jones.
Rankings are Intermat/Flo and expected starters/records via Wrestlestat.
125: (6/6) Troy Spratley (3-0) v. (1/1) Richard Figueroa (2-1): Spratley hits his third straight highly ranked guy, and last year’s national champ for his tough last 9 days. Spratley majored Figueroa 13-5 nine months ago, giving him his worst loss of his career, so you know Richie has this one circled, however, he had an injury in a match at the Daktronics Invitational earlie this week, so might not be able to wrestle. If he does, this match will go a long way to seeing if Troy somehow has his number, but it’s really hard not to favor the Sun Devil. (0-3 ASU)
133: (33/33) Cael Hughes (4-0) or Reece Witcraft (2-0) v. (19/21) Julian Chlebove (1-2) or Carter Dibert (4-3): Head Coach David Taylor was non-committal this week saying he really wants to see Hughes or Witcraft separate themselves but was happy with last weekend’s performance by both Pokes. Chlebove was a NCAA qualifier last year after going 19-10 (42-30 career) and kept it close against Daton Fix last year only losing 5-3, and kept it close a couple weeks ago against (2/2) Lucas Byrd (Illinois). Witcraft beat Chlebove 7-3 in the Cliff Keen last year. Chlebove appears to have medically forfeited in the Journeyman Classic two weeks ago and was replaced by Dibert in the Daktronics Invitational, so he may not even go this dual. If he does, I think either Hughes or Witcraft handles him for a regular decision. If he doesn’t either Cowboy bonuses Dibert. (3-3)
141: (12/11) Tagen Jamison (4-0) v. Emilio Ysaguirre (1-1): Not a whole lot to say about Ysaguirre. He’s only had 15 D-1 matches in three years (going 9-6) so he’s kind of an unknown. He did beat two-time All-American Brock Hardy as a true freshman two years ago, but also lost 4-1 to (15/20) Danny Pucino (Illinois) this year. Jamison wins by decision but pushes for a major. (6-3 Pokes)
149: (18/22) Carter Young (2-1) v. (15/16) Jesse Vasquez (6-2): On paper a very even matchup that could go either way. Young is 11-4 against common opponents and Vasquez is 14-3. Vasquez, who is a Senior, made the round of 16 at the NCAA tournament last year and has a 42-16 overall record. This is almost too close to call, but I’m going to take experience over talent here. (6-6)
157: (16/15) Teague Travis (1-1) v. Michael Kilic (2-6): Kilic is 12-18 for his career, got pinned by the only remotely decent guy he faced this year, however there are rumors that Travis is injured and wont be on the mat for a while (Cutter Sheets replaced him Friday). If he goes, tech fall Travis. (11-6 Pokes)
165: (6/8) Cameron Amine (2-1) v. (28/15) Nicco Ruiz (5-2): Very interesting matchup. Ruiz is a RS Freshman who had a heck of a year redshirting last year. He’s 13-4 for his career, with a 60% bonus rate, but got bonused in two of his four losses. Got pinned in the first period by fellow freshman (24/14) Braedon Scoles in the Illinois dual this year, but had a great match against (1/1) Mitchell Mesenbrink only losing 14-10. Gonna pick Amine based on experience but would not be shocked if Ruiz pulled the upset. (14-6 Pokes)
174: (5/4) Dean (DJ) Hamiti (3-0) v. Chance McLane (3-2): McLane spent four years in Stillwater as a “room guy”, so hopefully gets a good round of applause in his homecoming. He went 11-10 as a RS Junior starter for ASU last year, including a 5-0 loss to Izzak Olejnik in the OSU dual. Doesn’t get any easier for him here. Hamiti by a major, maybe a tech fall. (18-6 Pokes)
184: (3/3) Dustin Plott (3-0) v. Aziz Fayzullaev (1-1): Not much known about Fayzullaev as he is from Uzbekistan and spent his first two years at Northwest College, a JuCo in Wyoming. He is a U23 Asian Champion in 2022, so apparently has a little skill, but can’t imagine he’s a match for Plott after losing 11-7 to (9/11) Edmond Ruth (Illinois) earlier this year. Major decision by Plott. (22-6 Pokes)
197: (17/13) Luke Surber (3-0) v. Jacob Meissner (2-3): Surber majored (and almost teched) Meissner last year (17-4) and after the start Surber has had, I don’t see it going much different. Meissner, too was injured in the Daktronics Invitational, so may not go. 8-22 overall for his career. (24-6 Pokes)
285: (3/3) Wyatt Hendrickson (3-0) v. (5/9) Cohlton Schultz (4-1): The two matches of the night (125 and HWT) might not go, and that will be a shame. There are rumors that if the dual is out of hand, Schultz may duck to try to protect his seed, but I sure hope he doesn’t as this has the makings of a great match. Somehow these two super seniors, who have 202 D-1 matches between them have never faced off. Wyatt is 45-10 against common opponents and Schultz is 39-12. Wyatt has a 98-11 career record and is a two time all American (3rd twice) and Schultz is a four time AA (2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th). What sets them apart is their scoring ability. Hendrickson has a 77.4% bonus rate to 49.1% for Schultz. Schultz beat Konner Doucet 4-1 last year. Literally no telling how this goes, but I take Hendrickson if it goes since he will be at home (27-6 Pokes/34-0 if the injured guys don’t go)
