After suffering his fourth concussion in less than two years, senior heavyweight wrestler Eric Webb will no longer compete for the Oregon wrestling squad to avoid the risk of further injury.
“The medical personnel have decided that it is not in his best interest to continue competition,” head coach Chuck Kearney said. “It’s no longer safe for him to compete.”
Webb, a native of Eugene and graduate of Willamette High School, had a successful Oregon career, ending with an overall record of 69-31. Webb redshirted his first season, and went 23-15 overall and 15-9 in dual meet competition during the 1999-2000 season, his first year of competition. He had 12 pins, one fall and seven major decisions going into his sophomore season.
Webb’s strongest year, statistically, was his sophomore campaign. On Dec. 29, 2000, at the Midlands Tournament, Webb defeated then-No. 3 John Lockhart, 5-3. He ended the season 13-2 in dual meets and 24-4 overall, including seven pins.
Webb sustained a concussion while warming up for the Pacific-10 Conference Championships, and was unable to finish the season on the mat. He ended the season ranked No. 4 at heavyweight nationally, the highest ranking of any Oregon wrestler that season. Lockhart was the eventual NCAA Champion.
During his junior season, Webb battled foot injuries but still finished the season 20-11 overall and had a third-place finish in the Pac -10.
Webb began the current season, his final year, ranked by multiple publications as one of the top 10 heavyweights in the country. Many expected Webb to make a run at the national title.
He started strong in the Nov. 23 Body Bar Invitational hosted by Cornell, winning his first two matches. He suffered his eventual season-ending concussion early in the third match, and has not competed for the
Ducks since.
“He is a friend and a leader to the young men in this program,” Kearney said. “Our team really fed off of his enthusiasm for the sport of wrestling. For the fans, Eric was someone who would always go out and compete well and he was very exciting to watch.”
Redshirt freshman Neil Phillips has been starting as a heavyweight since Webb’s injury. Phillips spent last year as a redshirt, learning from Webb.
“There are a lot of ways you can contribute to our program,” Kearney said. “Hopefully, Eric will be able to help out Neil Phillips and the other members of the team.”