Al Case - Ashland Daily Photo

Men's Wrestling 2/3/2019 12:25:00 AM Iain Dexter, EOU Sports Information Director

Men’s Wrestling Brings Home Wagon Wheel After 21-18 Win over SOU

ASHLAND, Ore. – The No. 20 Eastern Oregon men's wrestling team defeated rival No. 18 Southern Oregon to win the Wagon Wheel, 21-18 on Saturday night in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.

In a thrilling back-and-forth dual, the Mountaineers were able to edge out the Raiders with wins in five of the nine matches. The 10th match was also a win for EOU, receiving a crucial forfeit at 157 pounds for six points.

The Mounties started the evening with two of their top wrestlers in No. 4 Mhar Caballa and No. 11 Blake McNall. Both wrestlers earned close decision victories to jump ahead 6-0. SOU answered with their own ranked wrestler in Devin Poppen, who tied the score with a pin. Southern took its only lead of the night at 12-6 after another pin at 149 pounds.

Freshman Keegan Mulhill earned the forfeit win to tie the score at 12. Then at 165 pounds, senior Drake Randall defeated Hunter Hodges by an 8-2 decision, giving EOU the lead back at 15-12.

Sophomore Marco Retano followed suit with a 5-0 decision over Cody Stahl in the 174-pound match, increasing the Mounties' lead to 18-12. A 3-2 decision for SOU brought the score back within three points with just two matches left.

Then in the match of the night, senior Harley DiLulo faced off with Tanner Fischer. The match went to overtime tied 6-6, and with just two seconds left in the overtime period, DiLulo persevered with a takedown to win 8-6 by sudden victory. The win was crucial, as it gave EOU a six-point lead with just one match left.

In the heavyweight bout, Noel Orozco battled his way to a key decision loss that only gave Southern three points, resulting in the Mountaineers' victory. The team win gives EOU the Wagon Wheel to take home to La Grande over the offseason after SOU won the first contest this year.

The Mountaineers complete the regular season with an 11-9 dual record and 3-5 in the CCC. They will next get set to battle in the second annual CCC Championships on Feb. 15 and 16 in Great Falls, Montana.

EASTERN OREGON 21, SOUTHERN OREGON 18
125 – Mhar Caballa, EOU, dec. Pancho Barrera, 7-5. (0-3)
133 – Blake McNall, EOU, dec. Justin Coon, 6-2. (0-6)
141 – Devin Poppen, SOU, p. Tyler Miler, 2:01. (6-6)
149 – Chandler Michael, SOU, p. Jared Brant, 6:50. (12-6)
157 – Keegan Mulhill, EOU, wins by forfeit. (12-12)
165 – Drake Randall, EOU, dec. Hunter Hodges, 8-2. (12-15)
174 – Marco Retano,EOU, dec. Cody Stahl, 5-0. (12-18)
184 – CJ McKinnis, SOU, dec. Ryan Redford, 3-2. (15-18)
197 – Harley DiLulo, EOU, dec. Tanner Fischer, 8-6 (SV). (15-21)
285 – Max Hane, SOU, dec. Noel Orozco, 5-1. (18-21)

For more information on Eastern Oregon men's wrestling, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com.

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Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu

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