University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Wrestling Team Set to Host Arizona State
1/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Minnesota returns to dual meet action by hosting Arizona State on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m., at the Sports Pavilion. It will be the final tune-up for the Golden Gophers before the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Jan. 13-14. For tickets, click here, or call 1-800-UGOPHER.
NOTES TO KNOW
The Series
Minnesota holds an 11-6 advantage in the all-time series against the Sun Devils, including a 5-2 record at home. The Golden Gophers have won each of the last seven meetings between the two schools dating back to 1986, including five victories in the last four seasons.
The Last Time
Top-ranked Cole Konrad defeated fourth-ranked Cain Velasquez in the final match as the second-ranked Golden Gopher wrestling team defeated No. 16 Arizona State, 23-19, on Jan. 3, 2006 at the Sports Pavilion. Minnesota held off a late rally to earn its seventh straight win over the Sun Devils.
Southern Scuffle Recap
The battle between the top two ranked teams in the country came down to the wire at the Southern Scuffle, but No. 1 Missouri narrowly edged the Golden Gophers, 179.5-176 for the team title.
All four Golden Gopher wrestlers who entered the Southern Scuffle as No. 1 seeds claimed individual titles. Manuel Rivera (141), Dustin Schlatter (149), Roger Kish (184) and Cole Konrad (Hwt) each finished first in their respective weight classes.
Striving 4 Perfection
Four Minnesota wrestlers still hold perfect records at this juncture in the season. Manuel Rivera, ranked No. 5 nationally at 141 pounds, is 21-0 with four pins, five major decisions and one tech fall. Top-ranked Dustin Schlatter is 16-0 with two pins, one major and six tech falls at 149. Roger Kish, No. 2 at 184 pounds, is also 16-0 with seven pins, two major decisions and one tech fall. Top-ranked heavyweight Cole Konrad is 12-0 with six pins and two major decisions.
In the Polls
The Golden Gophers are currently No. 2 in the country according to the USA Today/InterMat/NWCA coaches’ poll. Minnesota is still No. 1 in the latest W.I.N. Magazine poll.
Six of Minnesota’s 10 starters are ranked individually in the polls. Defending national champions Cole Konrad (Hwt) and Dustin Schlatter (149) both hold the top spot in their weight class across the board. C.P. Schlatter is also ranked but is currently out with an injury.
Did You Know?
Either Minnesota, Oklahoma State or Iowa have won the national title in each of the past 18 years. Arizona State was the last champion outside of the big three. The Sun Devils won the 1988 title.
In the past 18 years, Iowa has won nine titles, followed by the Cowboys with seven and the Golden Gophers with two.
Looking Ahead
The match against Arizona State will be Minnesota’s final tune-up before the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Jan. 13-14, where they will look to defend their title from a year ago. Junior C.P. Schlatter is expected to return from a knee injury that he sustained at the Northeast Duals on Nov. 25.
Players Mentioned
