Sun Devil wrestling signs All-American Eric Starks to NLI

December 04, 2007

TEMPE, Ariz. - Eric Starks has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his education and competitive wrestling career at Arizona State University, Head Coach <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/ortiz_thom00.html">Thom Ortiz</a> announced Tuesday. The Battleground, Wash., native will join the program in time for the start of the 2008-09 season following his graduation from Battleground High School.<separator></separator>"We are excited to bring in a talented competitor like Eric and are excited to see what he will contribute to our program," Ortiz said. "He is a state champion and an All-American and I feel he is capable of finding that type of success with the Sun Devils. His goal is to be an All-American, NCAA champion and earn his business degree and I am confident he will work to attain those goals with Arizona State."<separator></separator>Starks is a three-time state placer in Washington and finished as the state's runner-up as a junior at 152 pounds one year ago. As a sophomore, he captured the 135-pound division to help BHS to the state's 4A team title. As a freshman, Starks competed at 125 pounds and placed seventh in the state with an 8-5 decision over current Sun Devil <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/bowles_tyler00.html">T… Bowles</a> (Auburn, Wash.) in the medal round. Ranked No. 1 at 171 pounds in the state of Washington, Starks opened his senior season over the weekend by winning the Panther Invitational.<separator></separator>Starks also is a freestyle champion after capturing the 2007 Western Region Junior Championships at 160-pounds after winning the same weight class at the Northwest Region Junior Championships. From there, he earned All-America honors in Fargo, N.D., by placing third at the Junior National Championships.<separator></separator>