The Oregon wrestling team has been close to cracking the top-25 in the coaches’ poll for a few weeks and is primed for a stretch in its schedule where they face six Pacific-10 Conference opponents in the next seven
dual meets.
Although much of the attention this year has gone to seniors Eugene Harris and Shaun Williams and junior Eric Webb, who are all ranked in the top-25 of their weight classes by Intermat, many younger, less-hearlded athletes contribute to the squad in their own ways.
Injuries have plagued the Ducks and forced many wrestlers to step into starting roles earlier than expected. One of those athletes is Michael Badicke.
A look at Badicke’s record, which is 0-6 overall (0-5 in dual meets), does not give a true interpretation his importance to the team. Head coach Chuck Kearney describes the sophomore from Beaverton as the team’s “sacrifice utility player.”
For much of the season, Badicke filled in at the 157-pound weight class for the injured Tony Overstake, but in the meets on Jan. 25, Badicke played multiple roles.
In the 157-pound class against Pacific, Badicke battled at Troy Hall, who has lead the Boxers of Pacific with a 27-3 overall and 19-0 dual meet record. In the match, Hall took the decision 9-2 over Badicke. Against Central Washington, Badicke wrestled at 165-pounds and lost a decision to Kyle Smith, 8-2.
Kearney said he has appreciated the effort Badicke has put in for the team.
“Michael been in the workout room every day busting his rear end,” Kearney said. “He’s wrestled some of the best guys in the country at his weight class when Overstake has been out. He goes out there and every single time, regardless of the caliber of his opponent, he fights and gets after it. Every team needs to have some people like that in it, and Michael has done a real good job for us.”

Missing weigh-in
On the way to Friday’s weigh-ins, freshman Elias Soto’s truck broke down, Kearney said.
Because he missed the weigh-in time, Soto (184 pounds) could not compete in either of the meets, causing a considerable shake-up to Kearney’s lineup.
To fill Soto’s slot, freshman Shane Webster was bumped up one class from his typical 174 pounds. Harris, who usually wrestles in the 165-pound slot, competed at 174 where Webster was scheduled. Finally, Overstake and Badicke each competed at 165 against Pacific and Central Washington, respectively.

Harris continues to shine
Heading into the Pac-10 portion of the season, the senior from Las Vegas is now 20-2 overall and 7-1 in duals. Harris seems to be getting stronger as the season progresses, and now has two pins.
“Eugene wrestled extremely well and has continued to put big points up on the board and doing the things he is capable of doing,” Kearney said after the last meets.
As of the last polls to come out, Harris was ranked No. 6 in the nation. Shaun Williams (125 pounds) is No. 13 in his class and heavyweight Eric Webb is now at No. 16.