The University of Minnesota
wrestling team improved its season dual meet record to 10-4 with a win
over Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz. on Friday night. Led by redshirt
freshman Zach Sanders’ 12th consecutive victory, a 14-5 major decision
over the Sun Devils’ David Prado, the Gophers won the final three bouts
of the meet to claim the 26-12 win.
Wins by Minnesota’s 18th-ranked heavyweight Ben Berhow, Sanders at 125
pounds and a forfeit victory by two-time All-American Jayson Ness
helped turn a 12-12 tie into a 26-12 victory for the ninth-ranked
Gophers.
The Gophers also got a big win at 157 pounds from No. 14 Tyler
Safratowich when the senior pinned the Sun Devils’ Michael Swigert in
4:29 to tie the meet at six points apiece after Arizona State captured
the first two matches of the evening by decision. The pin was
Safratowich’s seventh of the season.
Scott Glasser broke a seven-match losing streak with a 3-2 win at 165 pounds over Kyle DeBerry.
The only match of the evening featuring a pair of ranked wrestlers came
in the opening bout of the night. Arizona State’s No. 6 Chris Drouin
defeated Minnesota’s ninth-ranked Mike Thorn with an 11-7
decision.
The Gophers return to action on Sunday, when they open their Big Ten
conference season with a dual against Michigan State at the Sports
Pavilion. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-U-GOPHER or by
contacting the Gopher Ticket Office at 612-624-8080.
