TEMPE, Ariz.—Arizona State wrestling's heavyweight Chace Eskam has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, head coach Zeke Jones announced on Friday.
The 2015 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and conference runner-up in his weight class last season, Eskam was granted a final year to compete for the Sun Devils following the successful cancer battle that sidelined him during his sophomore year.
“We're excited to have Chace back for his sixth year,” Jones said. “Obviously he's a tremendous student-athlete, so to have somebody of his character, with his leadership and ability to perform both in the classroom and on the wrestling mat is great for the team. Obviously when you're going into your sixth year, you've had some challenges, and the NCAA did the right thing by giving him the opportunity to have a sixth year to compete for a spot in our lineup.”
Following his freshman season at Cal State Fullerton, Eskam transferred to Arizona State in 2011, was diagnosed with the illness in 2012, and went into remission the following year.
In 2013-14, Eskam returned to the mat at 197 pounds, winning his first bout in over a year by way of a 4-2 sudden-victory decision. Later in the season, Eskam moved up a weight class and started at heavyweight for the Sun Devils for the rest of the year.
In 2014-15, Eskam started each match for ASU at heavyweight, going 17-14, including a 4-1 mark in Pac-12 dual bouts. He also recorded three bonus-point victories on the year, and was the first wrestling conference scholar-athlete since the 2013 season.
“When you already have five years under your belt, you come with a lot of wisdom and experience as a student-athlete, so I think he'll provide leadership in that respect for the younger guys that we have in the wrestling room,” Jones said. “The room is a lot deeper this year, and will being him some very unique challenges that will be very good for him. Chace has the kind of character where he can overcome very big obstacles in the past, and that gives him the foundation to tackle more challenges in the future.”
Sun Devil wrestling will open the 2015-16 campaign with the annual intersquad on Friday, Oct. 30. Location and time are currently TBA.
