Arizona State sophomore Richard Figueroa brought home the 125-pound NCAA Wrestling National Championship on Saturday after defeating Iowa’s Drake Ayala in a 7-2 decision.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Richard Figueroa is your 125-pound NATIONAL CHAMPION!#NCAAWrestling x @ASUWrestling pic.twitter.com/CRTfwj1B40
— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) March 23, 2024
This marks ASU’s first individual national championship since fellow wrestler Zahid Valencia did it in back-to-back years from 2018-19.
No. 8 seeded Figueroa went 5-0 through the tournament including a victory against Penn State’s No. 1 seeded Braeden Davis to cement himself as the nation’s top 125-pound wrestler.
Despite battling through injuries, the redshirt sophomore stayed confident and delivered on the biggest wrestling college stage of all.
.@stunnamanrich has his mojo back 😈 pic.twitter.com/GCMgpdNGMI
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) February 26, 2024
Despite finishing sixth in total points during the tournament, the Sun Devils now secure their 13th title in team history.
Figueroa’s name will forever be in Arizona State and the NCAA’s record books for this historic run.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Saleh Awwad is a writer/reporter covering the Arizona State Sun Devils, Phoenix High School Sports, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @SalehAwwad_
