The ASU wrestling team dominated the Pac-10 last year and now has its sights set on earning national recognition.
The Sun Devils swept through the conference undefeated in the 2004-05 season, clinching the school's 15th Pac-10 title, the second in three years under coach Thom Ortiz.
They carry a No. 10 ranking and raised expectations into this season.
"Our goal is always to win the Pac-10," Ortiz said. "And I think we have the ability to place among the top five teams in the nation. We're not there yet, but that's where we want to be."
ASU returns all but one starter and six of seven NCAA Championship qualifiers from last year's team that finished the year ranked No. 13 in the country.
Senior heavyweight Cain Velasquez and junior Brian Stith (157 pounds) are returning All-Americans. Velasquez was honored as the Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year after finishing with a 36-5 record and placing fifth in the nation last year.
"I hope to get into the finals and win this year," said Velasquez, who came within one match of the NCAA finals in the heavyweight division. "Anything less, in my mind, would be a waste."
Fifth-year senior Ryan Bader, an All-American in 2003 and 2004, said he hopes to return to national prominence in his final season after finishing eighth in the country a year ago.
"Last year was kind of a disappointment for me because the year before I was [ranked] fourth," he said. "But this year I plan to be an All-American again."
The Sun Devils bring back four seniors. In addition to Bader and Velasquez, 125-pound Jeremy Mendoza and C.B. Dollaway (184 pounds) will share leadership responsibilities.
"I'm one of the only guys who has been here for five years," Bader said. "The other three seniors and I try to set an example for the younger guys and get them going."
A key newcomer is highly touted true freshman Jason Robbins. A four-time state champion in Florida, Robbins will compete in the 141-pound division.
"That's a tough weight class," Ortiz said. "We're hoping he will step up for us this year."
Another welcome addition is the opening of the team's new practice facility. The Sun Devils finally moved into the building two weeks ago.
The new wrestling room measures 9,600 square feet, 7,200 of which is usable mat space.
Stith said the new facility should tremendously improve team workouts.
"It's the best thing that could have happened to Arizona State wrestling," he said. "This will take us to the next level. Hopefully we can become national champions."
In years past, ASU held practice in a room at Wells Fargo Arena nearly one-third the size of the new facility, until a water pipe burst and caused the team to move its training sessions to McClintock High School.
"Compared to our previous wrestling room at ASU, this is like going from a Pinto to a Rolls Royce," Ortiz said.
The Sun Devils will tangle with their share of elite opponents this season, providing a great opportunity to move up the rankings. They are slated to face the top-eight nationally ranked programs in either a one-on-one match or a tournament.
But Ortiz said it is not uncommon for his team's schedule to be loaded with such stiff competition.
"We try to schedule like that every year," he said. "That's how we prepare our kids.
The Sun Devils hit the mat this weekend when they host the Sunkist Kids/ASU Open, an exhibition featuring international competition.
The season officially gets under way Nov. 12 on the road against Pac-10 foe Portland State.
Reach the reporter at derrik.miller@asu.edu.
