The Oregon wrestling team recorded its third win in a row Friday night when it defeated reigning Pacific-10 Conference champion Boise State 25-23 at McArthur Court.
The Ducks (4-5 overall, 1-3 Pac-10) limped into the dual hampered by injuries but would be spotted 12 points by the Broncos, who forfeited matches at the 125- and 141-pound weight classes. The charity points would prove vital to Oregon and head coach Chuck Kearney, who would have to once again call upon his younger wrestlers to grab wins and wrestle outside of their usual weight classes.
“We had some guys who were called into service tonight because of injury and we had guys wrestling out of their weight classes,” Kearney said. “My hat goes off to those guys for stepping up.”
With a 12-point deficit to overcome, No. 17 Scott Jorgensen of Boise State found himself wrestling in a pivotal spot against junior Martin Mitchell at the 133-pound class. The underdog Mitchell gave Jorgensen all he could handle as the two were locked in a close match, with Jorgensen leading 7-6 late in the third round. Despite his
effort, Mitchell could not record an escape or reversal and lost by way of a
10-6 decision.
The win gave the Broncos momentum as they took the next three matches and the lead, 20-12, going into the 174-pound match. Boise State’s No. 8 Ben Cherrington recorded a 19-3 technical fall over redshirt freshman Nate Gipson (149), who was filling in for the injured Scott Woods. The Broncos recorded two ensuing pins at the 157- and 165-pound divisions. Lex Case pinned Steve Johnson (157) of the Ducks with 3:10 left, followed by Bronco Russell Brunson’s pinning of Michael Chalfin (165).
Junior Shane Webster (174) of Oregon wrestled Ben Gilliland in a match that proved to be the turning point for the Ducks. The third-ranked Webster, who has lost only one match this season, wrestled defensively to record a 13-4 major decision over Gilliland, closing the team score to 20-16 in favor of Boise State. Webster is now 16-1 on
the season.
Oregon junior Chet McBee (184) won his biggest match of the year as he defeated Boise State’s Casey Phelps by way of a 6-5 decision to bring the Ducks within one of tying the Broncos. The crucial match gave senior Scott Barker a chance to take the lead for the Ducks in the following match.
“All week long we have been practicing defense and it really paid off tonight,” McBee said. “I took the lead late and didn’t lose it.”
Kearney was more than pleased with McBee’s effort and ability to stay focused under pressure while protecting his lead.
“Chet wrestled really strong,”
Kearney said. “He knew it was a match the team needed to win and went out and wrestled smart and aggressive.”
The table was now set for No. 5 Barker (197) to put the Ducks ahead. Barker lived up to his expectations by pinning K.C. Walsh in the first round and improving his season record to 23-4. The pin gave Oregon the lead 25-20 and the Ducks would not look back.
“Scott (Barker) and Shane (Webster) did what they are supposed to do,” Kearney said. “They wrestle consistently day-in and day-out
and have provided us with a lot
of leadership.”
With the Broncos trailing by five going into the final match of the night, their only hope for victory was to have heavyweight Eric Smith record either a pin or a technical fall over sophomore Chris Dearmon. Although Dearmon would lose by way of a 3-2 decision, he avoided a pin or a technical fall thus preserving Oregon’s lead and giving them the
win, 25-23.
Oregon captain Barker was content with the win, but said there’s room for improvement.
“It was a good win,” Barker said. “We still have a lot of work to
do and I hope we continue to
get better.”
Scott J. Adams is a freelance reporter for the Daily Emerald