Men's Wrestling 11/18/2022 9:53:00 PM Adam Orr

No. 7 Mounties Drop First CCC Duel to No. 20 Raiders

ASHLAND, Ore- The No. 7 Mountaineers were back in action Friday night as they took on the No. 20 Raiders of Southern Oregon University. This match marked the first duel of Cascade Collegiate Conference play. After a hard fought duel, the Raiders ultimately would come away victorious 21-18 over the Mountaineers.

Eastern fell behind early to the Raiders of Southern Oregon, 9-0 after the first two matches of the night. Braden Carson would spark the Mounties getting them on the board after a hard fought 8-7 decision over Southern's Derek Ramos taking the score to 9-3. The Mounties would drop the next match taking the score to 13-3 but a huge pin by Michael Fox brought Eastern within striking, taking the score to 13-9. EOU dropped the next two matches in the 165 and 174 pound class taking the match to 19-9. The Mountaineers would not go away as EOU's No. 4 ranked 184 pounder Kyle Knudtson came to the mat and delivered. Knudtson pinned SOU's Kabb Christensen at the 2:17 mark taking the score to 19-15. It was then 197 pound No. 6 ranked Jay Smith's turn to take the mat. After an excellent match, Smith walked away with a 4-0 decision over Southern's Andrew Herrera taking our score to 19-18 with the 285 pound match left. After a back and forth matchup SOU would take the final match of the night in a 6-2 decision taking the duel 21-18.

Tonight's match marks the sixth year and 11th match-up of the bi-annual Wagon Wheel match between the Mountaineers and the Raiders. The Raiders hold a 7-4 advantage overall in the Wagon Wheel duels.

Eastern will be back in action Sunday, Nov. 20 as they travel to Spokane, Wash. to compete in the Spokane Open.

EOU vs SOU Match Results:

Southern Oregon 21, Eastern Oregon 18

125 – Simon Graeber, SOU, dec. Luciano Fasulo, 17-10. (3-0)

133 – Evan Potter, SOU, p. Zach Mauras, 2:05. (9-0)

141 – Braden Carson, EOU, dec. Derek Ramos, 8-7 (OT). (9-3)

149 – Aaron Gandara, SOU, major dec. Jaxon Morlan, 14-0. (13-3)

157 – Michael Fox, EOU, p. Travis Thorpe, 6:05. (13-9)

165 – Jordan Faifai, SOU, dec. Vincent Cramer, 4-2. (16-9)

174 – Alex Herandez, SOU, dec. Keegan Mulhill, 3-1. (19-9)

184 – Kyle Knudtson, EOU, p. Kabb Christensen, 2:17. (19-15)

197 – Jay Smith, EOU, dec. Andrew Herrera, 4-0. (19-18)