Second Session Mixed Bag for Oregon
STANFORD, Calif. ? The second session of the Pac-10 wrestling championships at Stanford University was a mixed bag for Oregon’s wrestlers as Shane Webster won his semifinal match to advance to Monday night’s championship final. In other semifinal action the Ducks suffered a setback at 133 as Justin Pearch lost a heartbreaking decision, 3-2.
"Overall today was definitely a mixed bag, some things went our way but others didn't," head coach Chuck Kearney said. "Our guys competed hard tonight and that is all we can ask."
Pearch, wrestling Cal State Bakersfield’s Tommy Vargas, was unable to fully secure a takedown several times in the waning minutes of his match as he had Vargas on the mat but didn’t have apparent control of the opponent to secure the points.
In his semifinal match Oregon senior Shane Webster, the No. 1 seed at 184 reeled off an impressive 15-3 major decision over Jesse Taylor of Cal State Fullerton.
"Shane is hitting on all cylinders and has assured himself of another trip to the national tournament, but so far he is our only wrestler to do so," Kearney said. "He has a big match tomorrow night, but he is a big match wrestler and he will be ready for it."
Senior Joey Bracamonte, who lost to Robb Maxwell of Cal Poly earlier in the day, will face Ray Blake who beat Bracamonte, earlier in the season in action tomorrow morning. Bracamonte may have a chance to avenge both of his matches this season, as he and Maxwell could meet in the third place match.
In the consolation bracket Joey Bracamonte regained some positive momentum as he defeated Anthony Weber for the third time this season. Bracamonte rolled through his match winning by major decision 15-3.
Bracamonte then beat UC Davis’ Frank Richmond 4-3 on a last second takedown, with 3 seconds left in the match to score the victory, advancing him to his consolation semifinal match with Ray Blake pitting the top two seeds in the 165 pound bracket against one another.
Also in consolation pigtail action Cyle Hartzell scored a major decision of his own winning 13-3 against Kainoa Casco. Hartzell has beaten Casco twice on the season. Hartzell was unable to advance to the semifinals as he was beaten by Ryan Williams of Cal Poly, 9-1, later in the session.
Chris Dearmon was leading his match, 2-1 over Stanford’s Jared Boyer when he scored a fall to advance to the consolation semifinal, where he will face Andy Patrick of Boise State.
Chet McBee, wrestling in the consolation semifinals was briefly knocked unconscious, when he regained consciousness he was able to dominate the rest of his match winning a 14-6 major decision over Fullerton's Ian Murphy.
"Chet wrestled what may have been his finest match in an Oregon singlet, to win after a situation like that showed his mettle," Kearney said. "He has himself in position to fulfill one of his life long dreams by qualifying for the national tournament."
Shaun Dee’s tournament came to an end as he fell by 12-8 decision to Chris Chambers of Cal State Fullerton.
Also in consolation action at 149 Stewart Bogart was pinned to end his tournament by Arizona State’s Patrick Payne.
Team Standings
1. Arizona State (103.0)
2. Cal Poly (90.0)
3. Cal State Bakersfield (74.0)
4. Boise State (73.5)
5. Oregon State (70.0)
6. UC Davis (64.5)
7. Oregon (44.0)
8. Stanford (37.0)
9. Cal State Fullerton (24.0)
10. Portland State (1.0)
Consolation:
157: Hartzell vs. Kainoa Casco (PSU); Hartzell wins by major decision 13-3
157: Hartzell vs. Ryan Williams (CP); Williams wins 9-1 major decision
165: Joey Bracamonte vs. Anthony Weber (OSU); Bracamonte wins by major decision 15-3
165: Bracamonte vs. Frank Richmond (UCD); Bracamonte wins by decision 4-3
174: Chet McBee vs. Ian Murphy (CSUF); McBee wins by major decision, 15-6
197: Shaun Dee vs. Chris Chambers (CSUF) Chambers wins 12-8 decision
285: Dearmon vs. Jared Boyer (STAN); Dearmon wins by Fall
Semifinals
133: Justin Pearch vs Tommy Vargas (CSUB); Vargas wins 3-2 decision
184: Shane Webster vs. Jesse Taylor (CSUF); Webster wins 15-3 major decision
