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Zahid Valencia makes early statement with win over national champion

Related Topics: Win, Ghayas Zahid

by Craig Morgan, theSunDevils.com writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Zahid Valencia tried to treat Sunday's match with Penn State's Mark Hall like any other match. The Sun Devil sophomore has wrestled in big matches his entire life.

This one was different, however. Valencia is used to winning those big matches, but Hall defeated him, 4-3, in the NCAA Tournament semifinals last season, ending Valencia's undefeated season and his hopes of capturing a national title.

"I wanted to get the win bad because of last year," Valencia said. "I was out there knowing that I was prepared, that I did all the right things, so I was just making sure that I stayed focused on my technique and wrestled my match; go out there and let it fly.