Oregon wrestlers host
three teams in two days
The Oregon wrestling team returns home this weekend to face three opponents in two days.
After taking on Cal State-Bakersfield at 2 p.m. and No. 21 Fresno State at 7:30 p.m. today, the Ducks will host Cal Poly at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The Ducks (5-6 overall, 2-3 in the Pacific-10 Conference) are coming off two losses last weekend to Boise State and Arizona State.
The Bakersfield Roadrunners are coming off a 25-16 loss to Cal Poly, dropping their record to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the Pac-10. They are led by their 141-pound wrestler, No. 18 Thomas Jarez, who is 24-11 and the lone ranked wrestler for Bakersfield.
Fresno State, the only non-conference team the Ducks will face this weekend, is 11-6 and has won four straight dual meets. The Bulldogs are coming off a first-place finish at the All-California Tournament.
Leading Fresno State, No. 1 Stephen Abas, who is a two-time national champion, rolled through the tournament with two technical falls and a pin. Abas will present a difficult matchup for Oregon’s No. 12 Shaun Williams in the 125-pound weight class.
No. 3 Billy Blunt (heavyweight) and No. 12 Derrick Hayes (133 pounds) have also had good seasons for Fresno State.
On Saturday, the Ducks will have to tackle Cal Poly’s top stars, No. 4 Cedric Hayman (141 pounds), No. 13 Steve Strange (174 pounds) and No. 18 David Schenk (197 pounds). The Mustangs are 9-7 overall and 4-3 in the Pac-10.
— Chris Cabot
Women’s tennis
looking for respect
It’s revenge time for the Oregon women’s tennis team. The No. 65 Ducks will go on the road to play Loyola Marymount, San Diego and San Diego State, all of whom narrowly beat Oregon last season.
“All three matches were tight last season,” senior Janice Nyland said. “We now have another chance to beat them.”
The weekend begins today against No. 66 Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. Last season the Lions beat Oregon 4-3, winning four of the six singles matches.
Oregon is 4-0 this season, but will be facing ranked opponents for the first time.
“It’s going to be our first big test,” head coach Jack Griffin said. “All three teams are very talented.”
One goal the Ducks have this season is to earn the respect they think they deserve as a Pacific-10 Conference team.
“We have an opportunity to prove what we can do,” Nyland said. “Right now it’s all about respect, and we have a chance now to earn it.”
Men’s tennis hosts St. Mary’s
After playing St. Mary’s today, the Oregon men’s tennis team will play on the road for the first time this season. St. Mary’s is 0-3 this season, including shutouts by No. 7 Pepperdine and No. 11 California.
“It’s important that we don’t lose our focus this weekend,” head coach Chris Russell said.
The Ducks will then play at Portland on Saturday. The Pilots are 4-2 this season.
— Peter Martini
for the Emerald
