Redshirt sophomore Ryan Dunn completes his first full season as the Ducks’ 125-pound starter this weekend at the Pacific-10 Conference tournament.
He amassed an impressive 19-11 record this year, including a 7-2 mark in Pac-10 dual meets.
What makes that 7-2 record all the more impressive is that the Pac-10 is extremely deep in the 125-pound division this year.
Wrestling insiders, Oregon coach Chuck Kearney included, believe that the Pac-10 has as many as six wrestlers at 125 pounds who are capable of going deep into the national tournament. Only the top three finishers at the conference tournament are guaranteed to advance. Dunn is currently ranked fourth in the conference.
“Everyone is really tough,” Dunn said. “I’m pretty confident going in but trying not to be cocky.”
Dunn isn’t cocky, though none of his success this season has come as a surprise to him or the Oregon wrestling coaches.
“Watching his learning curve from a year ago, I knew he would have a good year this year,” Kearney said. “He went through last year what a lot of our guys are going through this year, and he’s on track to do some exciting things.”
As much as Dunn and his coaches have expected his progress this season, they hope it will come as a surprise to some of his opponents.
“I think this year could be a year where he could sneak up on some people, possibly at the national tournament, and become a household name,” Kearney said. “He’s that good.”
Despite his success, Dunn shows no signs of ego. His calm, constant smile and quick laugh show his easy-going attitude toward wrestling and life.
“Who cares if you win or lose,” Dunn said. “Just do your best and have some fun. That’s all you can really ask for.”
That even-keeled approach to life is key to Dunn’s success on the mat, Kearney said.
“Ryan is one of those guys that no matter who he’s wrestling against and no matter how he feels, he brings everything he’s got every time. That will get you a long way in college wrestling,” Kearney said.
Another key to Dunn’s wrestling success is his intelligence. He won four district championships and two state titles in high school while maintaining the grades to be a member of the National Honor Society.
“The more intelligent you are, the easier it is to learn, whether its accounting or wrestling, so he’s able to pick things up and put things together,” Kearney said. “He doesn’t just learn the moves, he learns the wrestling concepts behind the moves and that, in my mind, is a major factor in what has enabled him to make the big jumps he has made in the last two years.”
Oregon wasn’t Dunn’s first choice for college, but the accounting program was a major factor in his decision to come to school here.
“I grew up a Beaver,” Dunn admitted. “But Oregon has great accounting and business programs, and once Chuck talked to me about it, it just kind of clicked.”
Dunn treats his successes in the classroom and the prospect of a future career in business the same way he treats his success on the mat – he’s optimistic, unflinching and refreshingly carefree.
“I really don’t know what I want to do,” Dunn said. “I like the accounting classes so I figure I’ll just see where that takes me for now. I might end up just joining the circus or something after I graduate. Who knows?”