SAN FRANCISCO – Sun Devil Wrestling two-time national champion Zahid Valencia has been named Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year for the third consecutive year. Valencia becomes the first Sun Devil to win three straight honors since Eric Larkin from 2001-03.
Valencia advanced to and won his second consecutive NCAA title match against Penn State's Mark Hall. Valencia avenged both of his losses from the regular season in this year's NCAA Championships and was one of just two to win four bonus point victories en route to the title match.
He also became the 10th three-time All-American in ASU history and became the first Sun Devil (sixth Pac-12/10 Conference wrestler) to defend his national title at the same weight class in back-to-back years.