The Ducks’ winter break was highlighted by monumental wins by wrestlers Joey Bracamonte and Shane Webster. Bracamonte upset Oklahoma State’s Johny Hendricks, the defending national champion, at 165 pounds at the Reno Tournament of Champions, and Webster overpowered the seventh-ranked wrestler, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo’s Ryan Halsey, at 184 pounds.
However, following a 19-15 win at Cal State Fullerton Jan. 3, the Ducks have lost their last two meets, including a tough loss to Wyoming in Oregon’s home opener Jan. 6. Wins by Ryan Dunn, Webster and Skyler Woods were not enough to propel the Duck wrestling team to a dual meet win against Wyoming, losing 30-12 Friday at McArthur Court.
The loss was the Ducks’ second straight to Wyoming, which drops the Ducks to 1-3 on the season and 1-2 in the Pacific-10 Conference. Oregon lost 30-16 last season in Laramie, Wyo. The Cowboys improved to 2-3 with the win.
One of the major reason the Ducks struggled to compete was Bracamonte’s absence because of illness.
“Without Joey in our lineup in a match against a top team, that is a huge point swing in their favor,” Oregon coach Chuck Kearney said. “When you take him out of our lineup and just give the opponent six points as opposed to what we are used to getting from Joey, it hurts.”
A win was in reach until the Ducks were forced to forfeit at the 165-pound weight-class because of Bracamonte’s absence. Bracamonte started the season missing consecutive meets. His success and Webster’s continued dominance in his weight class are uncertain but necessary factors as the season progresses.
Webster remains undefeated on the season and has climbed into the top 10 nationally. He breezed through his matchup on Jan. 6 with Wyoming redshirt freshman Preston Pavich, winning by technical fall 24-9.
“We need to focus on doing the little things that lead to good results, and we can be successful,” Kearney said.
Ryan Dunn got the match off to a good start for the Ducks as he rang up 19 points in a major decision victory over Cody Grant, 19-7 at 125. The win gave the Ducks a 4-0 lead early, but after Woods’ decision over Shay Lawrence, 15-8, the Ducks lost four straight weight classes. The Ducks didn’t score again until Webster notched a win.
Webster’s win over Halsey on Wednesday wasn’t enough to overcome Cal Poly-SLO’s six total match wins. Oregon lost 26-15.