How the indefinite suspension of ASU wrestler Zahid Valencia could impact Penn State, others at 184
Arizona State’s Zahid Valencia, a two-time national wrestling champ, has been suspended indefinitely —reportedly due to a failed drug test — and his potential absence could change the face of the 184-pound weight class at the NCAA championships.
Valencia failed a drug test on Jan. 18 at the Matteo Pellicone in Rome, according to the Arizona Republic, after winning a gold medal at the event. Arizona State announced the suspension Thursday but declined to release any details, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
If Valencia does not wrestle in the Pac-12 championships on March 7, he will not be able to wrestle in the NCAA championships March 19-21.
That would be a big blow to the No. 5 Sun Devils’ national championship chances, but it would also cause a ripple effect among the 184-pound weight class. The mild favorite to win the class would then likely be Virginia Tech’s Hunter Bolen, who’s currently ranked No. 2, but the eight ranked Big Ten wrestlers would all see improved chances at winning the individual title, or at least making the finals.
Among those are Penn State’s Aaron Brooks (No. 6), Michigan State’s Cameron Caffey (No. 8), Iowa’s Abe Assad (No. 9), Nebraska’s Taylor Venz (No. 11), Ohio State’s Rocky Jordan (No. 12), Rutgers’ Billy Janzer (No. 13), Illinois’ Zach Braunagel (No. 15) and Minnesota’s Owen Webster (No. 20).
Valencia previously competed at 174 pounds, winning the national titles in 2019 and 2018. He beat Penn State’s Mark Hall both times.
He moved up a weight class this season and currently stands at a perfect 20-0. He was also listed as the Most Dominant Wrestler by the NCAA so far this season, edging out Hall and Penn State’s Nick Lee.
It’s unknown whether the suspension will affect Valencia’s ability to wrestle at the Olympic Trials April 4-5 at Penn State. Valencia competes at 86 kilograms in freestyle, and was expected to be one of the biggest competitors for former Nittany Lion great David Taylor.
Valencia has not released any statements since the news first broke.
This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 7:49 PM.
