With confidence flowing, the Ducks are in Eugene for matchups against Cal State Bakersfield and Fresno State today.
Oregon came out of last weekend with a swagger. Wrestling without 133-pound standout Justin Pearch last weekend, Ryan Dunn and Beau Malia took on the challenge. The two shared duties at 133 pounds, while weighing in at 125 for the weekend. One wrestler would stay at his normal rate, while the other stepped up to the 133-pound weight class, ensuring that both were able to compete in the match.
“They both did an excellent job,” Oregon coach Chuck Kearney said. “One of the real positive things about the two of them job sharing the 125-weight class is that neither of them have been overwhelmed.”
Dunn and Malia may have to fill in at 133 again today and again will give up 8-10 pounds to their opponents.
The pair did not mind the challenge, especially Malia.
“It’s just a mental game. I gave up about 10 pounds, sometimes you got to do that,” Malia said. “I have been working out with kids all year that have been bigger than me, but it felt pretty good.”
Senior Shane Webster notices changes his team has seen this season. He said the current Ducks have great morale and camaraderie. He also is encouraged by the fact that this team competes at a high level and succeeds.
This weekend he wants to push his season record to 28-1 and to show his continued dominance since a Dec. 18 loss in the Reno Tournament of Champions.
“I’ll wrestle every match like it’s the national finals match. Nothing’s going to change,” Webster said.
The 184-pound defending Pac-10 champion desires to be the leader of this team. Webster gets excited watching his teammates.
“When I wrestle hard, it makes the other guys wrestle hard,” he said.
The Ducks look to avenge last year’s 26-19 loss to Bakersfield at 2 p.m. at Mac Court. Kearney wants his team to continue its passion against Cal State.
Joey Bracamonte will continue his rehab on the mat after injuring his knee early in the season.
“I think that this month will be a big month for Joey in getting back into match shape,” Kearney said.

Oregon’s crafty duo of Martin Mitchell and Skyler Woods have kept the Ducks competitive at 141 pounds with a 30-12 combined record this season. Woods has a 5-1 record in duals, while Mitchell is 4-2 in duals this season.
Tonight the Ducks face the Fresno State Bulldogs. The matchup brings back former Oregon heavyweight Cody Parker. Parker wrestled for the Ducks his freshman and sophomore years, while accumulating a 23-25 record.
The Ducks current heavyweight Chris Dearmon, 13-12 on the season, will challenge Parker.
“We feel like we are just now starting to gel and come together,” Kearney said. “Hopefully this last weekend will serve as a shot of adrenaline to our group.” The team is already thinking about a rematch against No. 13 Arizona State at the Pacific-10 Championships.
“If our freshmen can make another big step, and our older guys wrestle the way they can wrestled and continue to make improvements we can compete with them (Arizona State),” Kearney said.