ASHLAND, Ore. — The No. 15-ranked Eastern Oregon University men's wrestling team faced a tough matchup on Saturday night, falling 26-13 to No. 10-ranked Southern Oregon at Riehm Arena in Cascade Conference action.
The Raiders (5-0 overall) built an insurmountable lead by claiming victories in the first five matchups, highlighted by a pin from No. 2 Evan Potter at 141 pounds and an 8-6 decision win by No. 24 Travis Thorpe over No. 21 Jaxon Morlan at 149 pounds. Southern Oregon's run also included decision wins from No. 12 Vonn Fenn (125), Dylan Clark (133), and a shutout by No. 4 Aaron Gandara (157) over No. 20 AJ Rockwell.
Eastern Oregon (0-1 in duals) got on the board when No. 15 Michael Fox secured a 9-4 decision victory at 165 pounds. Momentum shifted slightly in the Mountaineers' favor with No. 4 Kyle Knudtson pinning Braylin Ruchti in 2:59 at 184 pounds, and No. 7 Nico Rodriguez closing out the night with a 14-2 major decision over Ben Hughes at 285 pounds.
Despite the late surge, Southern Oregon's Asher Ruchti sealed the match with a standout performance at 197 pounds, delivering a 9-1 major decision against No. 11 Eric Karas in his debut.
Match Results:
No. 10 Southern Oregon 26, No. 15 Eastern Oregon 13
125 – No. 12 Vonn Fenn (SOU) dec. Jack Eylar, 5-1
133 – Dylan Clark (SOU) dec. Kai Carson, 8-6
141 – No. 2 Evan Potter (SOU) p. Cole Cross, 3:56
149 – No. 24 Travis Thorpe (SOU) dec. No. 21 Jaxon Morlan, 8-6
157 – No. 4 Aaron Gandara (SOU) dec. No. 20 AJ Rockwell, 5-0
165 – No. 15 Michael Fox (EOU) dec. Ayden Wolgamott, 9-4
174 – No. 4 Alex Hernandez (SOU) major dec. Trevan Hokland, 11-3
184 – No. 4 Kyle Knudtson (EOU) p. Braylin Ruchti, 2:59
197 – Asher Ruchti (SOU) major dec. No. 11 Eric Karas, 9-1
285 – No. 7 Nico Rodriguez (EOU) major dec. Ben Hughes, 14-2
The Mountaineers will return to the mat as they continue their season at the Grand View Open on November 16th.
