LA GRANDE, Ore. — In a showdown between nationally ranked opponents, the No. 19-ranked Southern Oregon Raiders clashed with the No. 17-ranked Eastern Oregon Mountaineers Friday night at La Grande High School. Despite taking a lead early and a late comeback attempt, the Mounties couldn't pull through falling to SOU 20-17 in the first installment of the 2023 Wagon Wheel Duals.
 
The 125-pound bout set the tone as Hunter Sparks of Eastern Oregon dominated Vonn Fenn with a commanding 10-0 major decision. Southern took control over the next six matches winning five including a crucial forfeit victory putting them up 20-7 heading into the final three matches of the evening.
 
Eastern Oregon battled back with key wins from Kyle Knudtson and Jay Smith at 184 and 197 pounds, each contributing significant points. The final outcome hinged on the heavyweight clash, where Darrian Hoobery of Eastern Oregon secured a decisive 12-6 decision over Sebastian Echeverria, but it wasn't enough as Southern took the dual.
 
Eastern Oregon Men's Wrestling returns to mat action on Sunday at the Spokane Open in Spokane, Washington.
 
FULL RESULTS
125         Hunter Sparks (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) over Vonn Fenn (Southern Oregon) (MD 10-0)
133         Simon Graeber (Southern Oregon) over Braden Carson (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) (Dec 8-3)
141         Evan Potter (Southern Oregon) over Unknown (For.)
149         Jaxon Morlan (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) over Travis Thorpe (Southern Oregon) (Dec 4-1)
157         Dylan Straley (Southern Oregon) over AJ Rockwell (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) (Dec 10-5)
165         Noah Talavera (Southern Oregon) over Cody Glenn (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) (MD 10-1)
174         Alex Hernandez (Southern Oregon) over Wylee Lindeen (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) (MD 16-3)
184         Kyle Knudtson (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) over John White (Southern Oregon) (Dec 11-5)
197         Jay Smith (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) over Andrew Herrera (Southern Oregon) (MD 9-0)
285         Darrian Hoobery (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) over Sebatian Echeverria (Southern Oregon) (Dec 12-6)