The Ducks limp into the Oregon Classic today in Redmond, Ore., in search of winning results. A handful of wrestlers have shown they belong among the country’s elite, while others struggle to find a way to win consistently.
The little things are what undefeated Duck seniors Joey Bracamonte and Shane Webster, have done to help pilot the youthful Ducks to a 1-3 overall record, 1-2 in the Pacific-10 Conference. Both Bracamonte and Webster are ranked in the top 10 nationally.
Recently, the two have pulled monumental upsets. Bracamonte scored a pin victory over defending national champion Johnny Hendricks of Oklahoma State University in the 165 pound final Dec. 18 in Reno, Nev. Webster also won a major decision over Ryan Halsey, the No. 7 wrestler in the nation, on Jan. 4.
Bracamonte has struggled with his health off the mat, missing the Ducks last home meet against Wyoming
Jan. 6, when he forfeited due to illness.
Webster’s consistency for the Ducks has been at the forefront as he has yet to miss a match this season. The All-American is the team leader in points with 17 and has won 11 straight major decisions. The defending Pac-10 champion comes into this weekend’s Oregon Classic looking to extend his win streak.
Justin Pearch, a junior transfer from North Idaho College, was recently acknowledged as a top-20 wrestler in his weight class nationally, ranked 16 according to Amateur Wrestling News. He is the first Duck outside of Bracamonte and Webster to receive such a recognition. With
11 points scored this season, Pearch joins Webster as one of only two Ducks to score double digits in team points. Pearch lost last week in a triple overtime match against Wyoming’s Tyson Shatto.
Other Ducks to watch at the Oregon Classic are Ryan Dunn at 125 pounds and Skyler Woods at 141. Dunn has maintained an undefeated record in dual meets at 2-0, while Woods has compiled a 14-7 overall record.
Heavyweight wrestler Chris Dearmon is 1-3 in the Ducks’ dual meets this season. When Dearmon pins his opponent he is 6-1. However, he has a 5-5 overall record when his matches come down to decisions. The heavyweight lost last week against Wyoming’s Jason Still.
Along with competing against wrestlers from across the state, the Ducks will have a dual meet against Portland State University at the Classic. The Vikings have lost eight straight duals. Oregon should have the opportunity to bolster their record with a victory in Redmond. Portland State’s last win was Nov. 12 against Pacific University, winning 24-18.
The 12 underclassmen on the Ducks’ roster face a struggling Vikings team, setting up a possible turnaround to the season with an Oregon victory today. Following the Oregon Classic the Ducks will only have dual meets the rest of the season beginning Jan. 20 at Boise State.