The intensity returned last week for the ASU wrestling team, but an increase in the win column has been missing.
ASU (8-7, 3-2 Pac-10) has lost three straight duals after winning four straight in the middle of January.
Its Valentine’s Day opponent, Stanford, is in a similar situation.
The Cardinal (9-7, 1-2-1 Pac-10) hadn’t won since Jan. 16 before beating UC Davis on Feb. 6 by one point.
This is the last dual for the Sun Devils before the Pac-10 Championships.
“We’re looking at it as any other dual,” head coach Shawn Charles said. “We want to go out there, do the best we can and keep driving ourselves forward before the [Pac-10 Championships].”
One point decided the last meeting between the two teams, with Stanford winning the last two matches of the day to erase a five point ASU lead.
Charles said that last week’s intensity from the coaching staff and team is something that will carry over into Sunday’s dual.
“My team is young, so I need to make sure myself and my coaching staff are very active,” Charles said.
Each team boasts four nationally ranked wrestlers, but only two are in the same weight class.
The four ranked Sun Devils are No. 4 junior Anthony Robles (125), No. 12 junior Chris Drouin (141), No. 18 senior Erik Nye (285) and No. 23 junior Ben Ashmore (133).
The ranked Cardinals are No. 11 junior Zack Giesen (184), No. 18 junior Lucas Espericueta (157), No. 22 sophomore Nick Amuchastegui (165) and No. 24 freshman Ryan Mango (125).
“I think they have some really good wrestlers on their team, but I think we match-up well with any team,” Charles said. “We are a hard program to dual. We have individuals that are capable of going out there and winning any matches.”
Charles used to coach with the father of Stanford head coach Jason Borrelli at Central Michigan.
Borrelli graduated from Central Michigan in 2006 and is in his second season as the head coach at Stanford.
“I know Jason really well, and I know his guys are going to be ready,” Charles said.
It is also senior night and the last dual for ASU senior Erik Nye.
Nye joined the Sun Devils last season and will be looking for his 23rd career victory.
Reach the reporter at nathan.meacham@asu.edu
