The Oregon wrestling squad continues its season today near the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip, joining 53 other schools at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.
For the 19th consecutive year, the tournament attracts the top teams from around the country, including 11 teams ranked by Amateur Wrestling News in the top-20 poll, led by No. 5 Illinois.
The competition begins today at the Las Vegas Convention Center and continues through Saturday evening. All of the Ducks’ Pacific-10 Conference opponents will also travel to Las Vegas, including No. 10 Arizona State and No. 11 Boise State.
The road trip to Las Vegas will be a return home for senior Eugene Harris, who will wrestle in the 165-weight class. Harris is 4-1 overall and currently ranked No. 16 in the nation by both collegiate wrestling ranking organizations Intermat and W.I.N. Magazine.
Intermat ranks four other Oregon wrestlers in the top 25 — No. 9 Shaun Williams at 125 pounds, No. 14 Jason Harless at 133, No. 19 Brian Watson at 141 and No. 8 Eric Webb at heavyweight.
The Ducks are 2-0 so far this season, with wins in dual meets at Stanford and Davis. They also competed in the Southern Oregon Open on Nov. 17, when Harless and Watson came away with individual titles. Harris also wrestled his way to a championship co-title with sophomore Luke Larwin, who competed in the tournament unattached.