LA GRANDE, Ore. – 17th-ranked Mountaineer Women's Wrestling hits the road this weekend for a dual showdown against a longtime in-state rival in No. 3 Southern Oregon. Eastern Oregon will look to avenge a dual loss earlier this season to the Raiders in what will be another top-20 showdown between the two squads.

OPPONENT
No. 3 Southern Oregon Raiders (7-2, 4-1 CCC)

WHERE
Ashland, Ore. - Riehm Arena

WHEN
Saturday, Feb. 5 - 6 p.m.

Mat Points
• The Mountaineers (4-4, 0-1 CCC) will compete in their first dual since early December when they were at the Patriot Duals in Kentucky.
• For Eastern, it is also their first mat competition since the Oregon Wrestling Classic back on Jan. 15.
• EOU will look to split the regular season series against SOU and avenge a 34-11 loss they suffered back on Nov. 6.
• Following the dual at Souther, the Mountaineers will head to Corban for their final regular season dual of the year next weekend.

SOU Fan Policy
• Fans planning to attend are subject to SOU's vaccination policy, which requires proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours prior to entry.
• Photo ID must be presented for verification. Per state mandate, non-participants are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

How to Watch/Follow
• This weekend's dual can be watched on the Mountie Sports Network by going to www.eousports.com/watch. The livestream will be Pay-Per-View and costs $5.

Quick Hits
Last Time Out
• The Mountaineers were last in action back on Jan. 15 when they competed at the Oregon Wrestling Classic. EOU had nine placewinners, including two champions.
• Earning first place finishes was Stephanie Blankenship at 101-109 pounds and Olivia Robinson at 170 pounds. 
• Placing second was Nayeli Flores Roque at 101-109 pounds and Morgan Shines at 130 pounds.
• Also earning podium finishes were Anjelynn Baron (4th; 116 lbs.), Irma Retano (5th; 116 lbs.), Ariel Ceno (5th; 143 lbs.), Aleena Wiegand (5th; 155 lbs.), and Tenley Swope (6th; 155 lbs.)

Previously Against Southern Oregon
• The Raiders handed the Mountaineers a 34-11 loss early on in the season inside Quinn Coliseum. 
• Three Mountaineers picked up wins in Morgan Shines (130 lbs.), Erin Redford (143 lbs.), and Olivia Robinson (170 lbs.).
• All-time, the Mountaineers trail 6-1 in the series against the Raiders.

Mountaineers in Rankings
• Eastern checks in at No. 17 in the latest NAIA Top-20 Poll. The Mountaineers have now been ranked in every poll this season.
• Five wrestlers are individually ranked in Stephanie Blankenship at 109 pounds (13th), Macy Higa at 123 pounds (16th), Morgan Shines at 130 pounds (13th), Dempsi Talkington at 155 pounds (6th), and Olivia Robinson at 170 pounds (5th).

Scouting the Raiders
• Southern enters the weekend with a 7-2 overall dual record and is 4-1 against CCC opponents. Prior to Saturday's dual against EOU, the raiders take on Corban on Friday.
• In the latest NAIA rankings, the Raiders still sit No. 3 in the nation and are the highest ranked team out of the CCC.
• 11 individuals are national ranked for the Raiders in No. 1 Sienna Ramirez (155), No. 3 Carolina Moreno (123), No. 4 Karrah Smith (191), No. 5 Tara Othman (116), No. 6 Valeree Ornelas (109), No. 6 Emily Se (136), No. 7 Emma Baertlein (101), No. 8 Carolina Johnson (116), No. 9 Glory Konecny (123), No. 10 Macie Stewart (109), and No. 10 Bailey Dennis (170). Julissa Taitano is 11th at 136.
• At home this season, SOU is a perfect 1-0 against opponents in dual action.
• Ramirez is 32-3 on the season at 155 pounds to lead the Raiders. She has recorded 14 falls this season to go along with nine tech falls.
• Freshman Carolina Moreno is 25-4 at 123 pounds this year and has an impressive 15 tech falls and recorded six pins. 
• Emma Baertlein is 19-5 with 11 technical falls; and junior transfer Emily Se leads the team with 19 wins by fall, putting her record at 22-8.

Projected EOU Starting Lineup vs. SOU
101- Nayeli Flores Roque
109- Stephanie Blankenship
116- Open
123- Macy Higa
130- Morgan Shines
136- Krystal Fabricante
143- Nayeli Maston
155- Dempsi Talkington
170- Olivia Robinson
191- Open

Up Next
• Following the dual at SOU, the Mountaineers will be back on the road next Thursday, Feb. 10 at Corban for their final dual of the regular season. Mat action begins at 6:30 p.m. PT.

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