With the Pacific-10 Conference Tournament on Saturday and Sunday in Corvallis, the Oregon wrestling team is making some final preparations.
Tuesday’s practice began a stretch of four light workouts for Oregon, which should have the team rested and ready to battle for its first conference crown in 20 years.
“We want to be physically and mentally at our best,” head coach Chuck Kearney said. “Today will be the first day that we kind of start lightening up on (the wrestlers) to let them bounce back and hopefully achieve a physical peak. When you feel good physically, there is a tendency that you will psychologically feel good as well.”
The Ducks’ 38-7 win over Portland State on Feb. 20 gave them a final regular season record of 9-7 overall and 5-4 in the Pac-10.

National rankings
For the first time all season Oregon holds a spot in Intermat’s top-25 rankings, debuting in the No. 23 slot. The Ducks have won four of their last five dual meets, including wins over No. 24 Fresno State on Feb. 8 and No. 25 Oregon State on Feb. 13.
Oregon is not ranked in the Division I Coaches Poll, but Fresno State holds the No. 20 position. The Bulldogs recently defeated No. 13 Arizona State and a strong Cal Poly team. Fresno State’s senior leader, Stephen Abas (125 pounds), now holds a school record of 137 victories.
Individually, four Oregon wrestlers are ranked in their weight classes. Heavyweight Eric Webb is ranked No. 20, falling one spot from last week. No. 17 Brian Watson maintained his ranking in the 141-pound class as did No. 10 Shaun Williams at 125 pounds. Senior Eugene Harris (165 pounds) improved his ranking one slot from last week and now holds the No. 4 position.

Up and down Beavers
In their last dual meet of the season, Oregon State broke Boise State’s seven-match winning streak with a 20-11 victory on Feb. 16. This win followed two straight losses to Fresno State and Oregon.
The Beavers’ heavyweight wrestler No. 7 Jason Cooley won his seventh straight match in the win and Oregon State head coach Joe Wells is encouraged with the way his team is wrestling.
“This was a big match for seeding opportunities and for us to vault off of this dual meet win,” Wells said. “Boise State had just come off beating Oregon and Fresno State, and we kind of won in fine fashion, so I’m pleased with the win. I’m excited about opportunities for the Pac-10 championships.”