Wrestling's Ashmore selected for 2010 Pac-10 Sportsmanship Award

<p><a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/ashmore_ben00.html">Ben Ashmore</a>, a member of the Arizona State University wrestling team, has been named the recipient of the 2010 Pac-10 Conference Sportsmanship Award, the Conference announced today. Ashmore, who recently completed his first season with the Sun Devils, joined the Stanford women’s rowing team as this year’s honorees.</p><separator></separator><p>The Sportsmanship Award is selected by members of the Pac-10 Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and is based on good sportsmanship and ethical behavior in participation of intercollegiate athletics, as well as a demonstration of good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. Conference award winners are then nominated for the NCAA Division I Sportsmanship Award.</p><separator></separator><p>A native of Dallas, Texas, Ashmore came to Tempe in time for the 2008-09 season after transferring away from Oklahoma State and worked hard in practice to make the starting line-up in 2009-10. An All-American candidate at 125 pounds heading into this past season, Ashmore voluntarily moved up to 133 pounds in order to keep teammate <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/robles_anthony00.html"… Robles</a> in the starting position at 125 pounds where he was an All-American (fourth-place) and national semifinalist one year earlier. Wrestling up one weight class, Ashmore finished fourth at the Pac-10 Championships and earned the league’s final automatic qualifying spot at 133 pounds and advanced to his first NCAA Championships appearance, where he went 1-2 in the event.</p><separator></separator><p>Along with finding success on the mats, Ashmore has continued to work toward a degree in interdisciplinary studies while also remaining active in the community. During the past season, Ashmore attended several events with his teammates, including the Wilson Community Clean-up in central Phoenix and also participated in a walk for Autism. He also attends local high school wrestling meets and serves as a good role model for younger wrestlers.</p><separator></separator><p>Ashmore is the second Sun Devil to be selected for the award since it was created in 2004. That year, football player Grayling Love was the recipient.</p>