Junior won the 149-pound title last weekend at the ESU Open
2012 NCAA Qualifier - 149 pounds
AT VIRGINIA: 2011-12 • Posted a 22-8 record as sophomore • One of team's most pleasant surprises this year after moving up to 149 pounds; earned at-large berth to NCAA Championships • Went 2-2 at NCAAs, including a 10-8 win over No. 5 seed Ian Miller of Kent State in the wrestlebacks • Also defeated Mario Mason of Rutgers by medical forfeit at NCAAs • Wrestled three seeded wrestlers at NCAAs • Earned 11 wins in last 14 matches heading into NCAAs • Went 5-7 against wrestlers who made the NCAA field • Ranked 19th in final WIN Magazine poll, 20th in InterMat poll • Was 19th in final NCAA RPI and 21st in final NCAA Coaches rankings • Second on team with seven pins • Was 3-1 in ACC duals; lone loss came to NC State's Matt Nereim (Sako led 13-1 before Nereim put Sako on his back for pin) • Won by major decision against AJ Guardado (Duke) and Ben Dorsay (Maryland) and a 5-3 decision over Jon Burns (UNC) • Did not compete until mid-December because of injury • In first tournament back, he took fourth at Cleveland State Open (12/18) • Placed seventh at Southern Scuffle (1/1-2); knocked off then-No. 18 Craig Eifert of Cornell in the seventh-place bout • Named ACC Wrestler of the Week after his 5-3 upset win over then-No. 5 Mario Mason of Rutgers on Feb. 4
2010-11 • Went 24-19 during freshman season • Competed at 133 for first two open tournaments, then bumped up to 141 • Took eighth place at 141 at Southern Scuffle (12/29-30) • Placed third at Clarion Open (2/19), coming through consolation bracket and winning seven matches • Wrestled five ranked opponents over course of season
ST. EDWARD HIGH SCHOOL • Two-time Ohio State Champion • Won 103-pound state title in 2008 and 125-pound title in 2010 • Was state runner-up at 112 his junior year (2009) • Career record was 148-13 • Two-time placewinner at Ironman (fourth, seventh) • Placed second at FILA Cadets (2008) • Took third at Fargo Cadets (2008) • Coached by Greg Urbas at St. Edward • Also was a high school teammate of fellow UVa wrestler Nick Sulzer • Was Academic All-American for three years; also was member of National Honor Society
PERSONAL • Parents are Guy and Ashley Sako • Has one sister, Elise • Enjoys fishing on Lake Erie
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