The Oregon wrestling team has a chance to win its third consecutive dual Friday when it wrestles Pacific-10 Conference foe Boise State at McArthur Court at 7 p.m. The Ducks are riding a modest two-dual winning streak after taking both matches last Friday against South Dakota State and Southern Oregon at the Oregon Wrestling Classic.
The Broncos (3-4) are loaded with nationally ranked wrestlers, making them a daunting opponent for Oregon, which was shut out in last year’s dual against Boise State 42-0. The Ducks have an all-time lead over Boise State (11-10-2) but the Broncos have walked away the victor in the past six meetings. For both programs, the match’s most important factor is its conference implications. Oregon junior Martin Mitchell recognizes the significance of Friday’s dual and how helpful a win would be for the Ducks.
“We have struggled at times this season,” Mitchell said. “Boise State is a lot like us and a win would be just as huge for us as it would be for them. This is a chance for us to get back on track.”
Sixth-ranked Andrew Hochstrasser leads the Broncos into Friday’s match sitting at 14-4 this season while wrestling in the 125-pound weight class. Other ranked wrestlers in Boise State’s roster include Scott Jorgensen (No. 17 at 133), Ben Cherrington (No. 8, 149) and Eric Smith (No. 16, Hwt.).
Mitchell (133) finds himself pitted against Jorgensen in what he feels is one of his biggest bouts this season.
“I’m very excited for this one,” Mitchell said. “(Jorgensen) is ranked pretty high but I’m not nervous. I know I have a good shot at a win.”
Hochstrasser will most likely wrestle Oregon sophomore Joey Lucas, who recorded two wins last weekend including a pin of South Dakota State’s Marcus Waters. In the same dual, freshman Stewart Bogart (157) and sophomore Chris Dearmon (Hwt.) also recorded pins for
the Ducks.
The most exciting match of the night might be in the heavyweight division as Smith faces either Dearmon or sophomore Cody Parker, pending a match-time decision by Oregon head coach Chuck Kearney. Another coaching decision yet to be made is whether senior Luke Larwin (165) will wrestle. Larwin suffered a knee injury early in the season that sidelined him until Friday when he wrestled for the first time this season — he won two close matches by decision.
Like most duals the Ducks have wrestled in this year, a win over Boise State will weigh heavily on how well Oregon’s underclassmen wrestle. The juniors and seniors have had little trouble this season notching wins, as illustrated by the success of standout veterans Shane Webster (174), Joey Bracamonte (157), Scott Barker (197) and Chet McBee, who has stepped in at the 174- and 184-pound divisions.
Although the upperclassmen have had a prosperous season, the Ducks have been on the losing end of many close duals in which they fell short by a single match win. This is where the performance of Oregon’s younger wrestlers has become pivotal. Recently, freshman Nick Cautrell (141) stepped up and helped the Ducks grab a win over Fresno State two weeks ago. Sophomore Cyle Hartzell has also pulled his weight in
clutch matches.
The Ducks continue their homestand Jan. 28 when they wrestle Cal State Fullerton.

Scott J. Adams is a freelance reporter for the Daily Emerald