Wrestling Falls in Second Civil War, 30-12
Eugene, Ore. - The University of Oregon wrestling team was led by its two seniors, Jason Harless and Jake Leair in the Duck’s final home match of the season. The Ducks fell to Oregon State, 30-12 in the second Civil War match up of the season, Sunday afternoon at McArthur Court in front of 931 fans. Oregon State improves to 11-7 overall and 7-2 in Pac-10 while Oregon drops to 1-12, 0-7.
"Oregon State came and wrestled tough today," head coach Chuck Kearney said. "They have been doing some good things this year and they have an overall balance to the team. We need to regroup and continue to get better and deal with the task at hand."
The dual started at 184 with Dustin Fisher and Oregon State’s Dan Pitsch. Pitsch grabed the lead first and held on the rest of the way to defeat Fisher, 21-6 with a technical near fall.
Senior Jake Leair responded to the early Beaver lead, 5-0. Leair jumped out to a 5-0 lead over Curt Willener early in the first period. Leair finally got Willener turned and pinned at 6:27 to give the Ducks the lead over Oregon State, 6-5.
"I really wanted to get a pin out of this one so the whole time I was looking to pin him," senior Jake Leair said. "Nothing could feel better than this win today."
However, the Ducks did not have the lead for long. At heavyweight, Cody Parker dominated Jamie Rakevich the entire match but was unable to capitalize to get a win. Rakevich won in a decision match over Parker, 3-2.
Jason Harless was determined to walk out of McArthur Court for the last time on a positive note. Harless did just that. Harless was the first to score with a takedown over Bobby Pfennings. Harless defeated Pfennings in a decision match, 5-1 to close the gap on Oregon State’s lead to 12-9.
However, with a pin at 141 and a forfeit at 149, both in Oregon State’s favor, the Beavers held a commanding lead over the Ducks, 24-9 going into the 157 weight class.
Joey Bracamonte and Brian Duhrkoop of Oregon State wrestled a close one at 157. Bracamonte was the first to score, jumping out to a 7-3 lead after the second period. Duhrkoop closed the gap quick to 7-6 with an escape and a takedown. Bracamonte responded well and got a reversal and then a takedown to secure the win, 14-7.
With two matches left, the Ducks needed some big points. Luke Larwin was unable to hold off Matt Ellis as Ellis won in a decision match, 5-2. At 174, Jed Pennell dominated Chet McBee in an 11-5 victory of McBee to give the Beavers the win over the Ducks, 30-12.
Oregon will travel to Portland, Ore. on Wed. Feb. 18 to face Portland State in its last dual meet of the season. The meet will start at 7 p.m. and then the Ducks will have a little less than two weeks off from competition to prepare for the Pac-10 Tournament slated for Feb. 29 and Mar. 1 in Tempe, Ariz.
Oregon State 30, Oregon 12
184 - Dan Pitsch (OSU) tech fall with near fall over Dustin Fisher (UO), 21-6 (5:52)
197 - Jake Leair (UO) pinned Curt Willener (OSU), 6:27
Hwt - Jamie Rakevich (OSU) dec. over Cody Parker (UO), 3-2
125 - Eric Stevenson (OSU) major decision over Joey Lucas (UO), 10-0
133 - Jason Harless (UO) dec. over Bobby Pfennings (OSU), 5-1
141 - Kyle Larson (OSU) pinned Johnny Lugo (UO), 4:33
149 - Tony Hook (OSU) wins by forfeit
157 - Joey Bracamonte (UO) dec over. Brian Duhrkoop (OSU), 14-7
165 - Matt Ellis (OSU) dec. over Luke Larwin (UO, 5-2
174 - Jed Pennell (OSU) dec. over Chet McBee (UO), 11-5
