The Oregon wrestling team went 1-2 over the weekend on its trip to Oklahoma, dropping duals to No. 12 Oklahoma Saturday, 29-10, and No. 4 Oklahoma State Sunday, 34-3.
The weekend’s lone victory came against Oklahoma City University Saturday, 29-10, in a last-minute addition to Oregon’s schedule after Oklahoma State postponed their dual with the Ducks until Sunday.
“When Oklahoma State moved our match, Oklahoma City called us up at the last minute and wanted to know if we wanted to wrestle,” coach Chuck Kearney said in an Oregon release. “We want to give our guys as many opportunities for action as possible, so we took the match.”
Oregon (6-7, 1-3 Pacific-10 Conference) beat Oklahoma City, ranked No. 20 among NAIA wrestling programs, on the strength of two decisions, a major decision and a forfeit. One of the decisions was won in dramatic fashion by sophomore Kyle Bounds, who used a late takedown to come from behind to win his 157 pound match 3-2.
The Ducks got off to a great start later that day against Oklahoma with three wins in their first three matches, including a 13-5 major decision by sophomore Ryan Dunn at 125 pounds. After that, the Sooners got rolling and won the last seven matches to earn the victory 29-10.
Sunday’s dual against the No. 4 Oklahoma State Cowboys was never close. Oregon forfeited the first match of the day to spot the defending national champs a six-point lead and the Cowboys ran with it, winning the next five matches before the Ducks got on the board at 141 pounds with an 8-2 decision by senior Justin Pearch. It would be the Ducks’ only win of the day despite several close matches.
At 125 pounds, Dunn nearly upset No. 18 Tyler Shinn but fell 8-6, and at heavyweight, Chris Dearmon gave No. 11 Jared Rosholt a challenge but lost 5-3.
The crowd of 2,601 at the Gallagher-Iba Arena was one of the largest the Ducks have wrestled in front of this year.
“This was a great learning experience for our young group of guys,” Kearney said. “To come into this atmosphere with these fans gave the match a level of intensity that they haven’t faced before.”
The Ducks return to McArthur Court this weekend for duals with Boise State, at 7 p.m. Saturday, and Arizona State, at 2 p.m. Sunday.