Quietly and confidently, the Oregon wrestling team has risen to the next level of competition.
After 10 weeks of competition, the Duck wrestlers find themselves as the second-highest ranked sport at Oregon, second only to the No. 7 football team. The Intermat national poll has the Ducks at No. 14, and has ranked Oregon as high as 10th.
Oregon also has the highest-ranked individual athlete at Oregon in junior Shaun Williams. The 125-pound transfer is currently ranked sixth in two polls and has been ranked as high as fourth among lightweights.
Williams transferred from North Idaho Junior College this year and made an immediate impact on the Ducks’ starting roster.
Oregon also has five other wrestlers ranked in the top-20 nationwide. Senior Chael Sonnen and sophomore Eric Webb are ranked sixth at 197 pounds and heavyweight, respectively. Senior All-American Doug Lee is seventh at 184 pounds and sophomore Brian Watson is ranked 10th at 133 pounds. Junior Eugene Harris is ranked 19th at 157 pounds.
Add rankings
According to the Pacific-10 Conference rankings, there should be a four-way battle for the conference title, which will be held at McArthur Court on Feb. 25-26. Oregon, Oregon State, Boise State and Arizona State have dominated the most recent polls.
Oregon has already defeated Oregon State 22-16 and takes on Boise State this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Mac Court.
The Ducks have a ranked wrestler in all but three weight classes. Williams, Watson, Lee and Sonnen all earned top rankings.
Approaching records
With three convincing pins and four victories last Friday at the Oregon Classic Duals, Sonnen moved to second all-time on the school career pins list. Sonnen has 13 pins this season to bring his collegiate total to 45. Sonnen needs eight more pins to surpass Don Brown for the school record.
Sonnen also won his 96th match of the year, good enough for eighth on the career list. The All-American is on pace to finish 10th on the all-time winning percentage list.
Lee also vaulted into the top-10 career victories list. Lee is 91-31 at Oregon and 17-7 this season.
