LITTLE ROCK, Ark — Last week, the Little Rock wrestling team took down the ranked #24 Arizona State.
That was the first time the Trojans ever took down a ranked team. Now Little Rock is ranked 25th in the wrestling coaches poll. Little Rock first started the competition in 2019.
"We set these goals ahead of time. To be top 25 in year five was one of our goals. It's a testament to the culture of the team and the guys that have bought in throughout," said UA- Little Rock wrestling head coach Neil Erisman.
"It's been hard, gritty, challenging workouts and just trying to build a team. I didn't expect to grow this quickly," said Redshirt Senior Joseph Bianchi.
Taking down #24 Arizona State was not only good for the program but also good for the start of conference competition. The Trojans wrestling team competing in the Pac-12 means lots of traveling for them.
Bianchi, a Wisconsin native, said that he embraces the challenge.
"We have a lot of a lot of obstacles. We have to travel so we have to figure out when to work out, keep our weight in check, and keep our bodies healthy. I think being away from Wisconsin this whole time has gotten me ready for that. I'm 12 hours from home," he added.
Little Rock is 10-4 this year, and they have a lot to live up to as the only Division I wrestling program in the state of Arkansas.
"The community of wrestling in Arkansas has grown drastically in the last three years. I would like to say we've played a small role in that. It shows young kids that they have a place here in Arkansas to go if they have dreams of wrestling at the DI level," said coach Erisman.
Up next the Trojans will take on Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon on Friday, January 26.
Little Rock will remain on the West Coast this weekend and then head to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California on Sunday.