Oregon had a tough Friday in California.
The Ducks wrestled two complete dual meets in six hours, beginning with a win and ending with a loss.
Fresno State hosted both Oregon and Menlo College in its gymnasium, with each team wrestling the other two on Friday afternoon.
The Ducks (7-10 overall, 5-3 Pacific-10 Conference) started the day with a win over Menlo College, 31-10. Menlo, ranked No. 4 in the Coaches Poll, is an NAIA school.
Sophomore Martin Mitchell added another pin to his list. Mitchell pinned Menlo’s Isaac Pumarejo at the 2:41 mark of the 125 match. The pin is Mitchell’s seventh at 125 this season.
Casey Hunt had a 14-3 major decision over his Menlo opponent at 141. The senior earned his second four-point major decision in as many matches. The two major decisions are also Hunt’s first of his collegiate career.
Senior Tony Overstake, at 149, earned a four-point major decision over Menlo’s Nickolos Saldivar, 11-2. Overstake is 7-1 in dual meet major decisions this season.
Redshirt freshman Chet McBee earned his first dual meet pin this season. McBee pinned Sean VanDerWende at the 3:45 mark of the 157 match.
Luke Larwin fought for a 3-2 decision in the 164 match. The sophomore beat Eddie Lucatero, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA at 165.
No. 11 Shane Webster earned his fifth technical fall of the season with a 25-9 defeat of Howard Falvey. Webster, at the 174 weight class, has been ranked in the poll throughout the season.
Freshman Tony Rolen won his sixth match of the season with a 4-0 decision over Jeff Dahl.
Rolen’s win put the Ducks ahead 31-4. They lost the last two matches of the meet, winning the dual 31-10.
The Ducks had time to rest while Menlo and Fresno State wrestled, then Oregon stepped back on the mat to battle Fresno State.
The Ducks lost a tough match, 19-12. Oregon was ahead 12-10, but lost the last three matches by decision to give the Bulldogs the win.
“We wrestled hard and tough, and it was an exciting match to watch,” head coach Chuck Kearney said. “We just let a couple get away from of us.”
Mitchell and Overstake both won 6-3 decisions over their Bulldog opponents. Overstake improved to 18-7 on the season at 149.
Larwin earned an 11-7 decision and Webster followed with a 6-4 win. Webster is 24-4 on the season.
Redshirt junior Jason Harless, who is 15-11 on the season at 133, did not travel with the team because of a knee injury.
The Ducks have a week to prepare for their next match — Civil War, part two.
In the season’s first Civil War in Eugene, Oregon came from behind to win, 18-15. The Ducks were down 15-3 when Mitchell pinned his opponent. Harless, Hunt and Overstake won their matches, giving Oregon the win.
The season’s second Civil War will be held in Corvallis on Sunday.