Crete, NE — The Eastern Oregon University Men's Wrestling Team kicked off their tournament weekend with a solid performance in a dual against Wayland Baptist on Friday, December 5, at a neutral site in Crete, Nebraska. Despite facing tough competition, the Mountaineers displayed grit and determination across all weight classes.
Kai Carson led the way with a pin in his 133-pound match, showcasing his quick finishing ability and determination early in the dual.
Daniel Guerrero followed up with a quick 3-0 start to the match, before winning by default in his 141-pound match. These victories put Eastern Oregon in a strong position early on in the dual.
In the 149-pound match,
Cole Cross faced a difficult opponent, ultimately falling 17-3 by major decision. Despite the setback, Cross continues to improve and gain valuable experience.At 157 pounds,
Carlos Valdez battled his way to a hard-fought 9-8 decision win, demonstrating his composure under pressure and technical prowess. Similarly, J. Rudebaugh earned a 11-8 decision win in his 165-pound matchup, continuing his strong season with another critical victory.
The 174-pound and 184-pound matches saw tough losses for
Wylee Lindeen (Tech fall 16-1) and
Gabe Vasa (Tech fall 18-3), but both wrestlers showed resilience in facing tough opponents. However, Eastern Oregon bounced back in the 197-pound match, with
Eric Karas dominating his opponent with a 17-0 tech fall, showcasing his relentless style and high scoring output.
In the heavyweight class,
Hayden Martin started out with an impressive 13-1 lead, before winning by disqualification while
Nico Rodriguez added another win for the team with a 7-4 decision in his heavyweight match, to round out the score and take the 26-20 victory over Wayland Baptist.
With a mix of dominant wins and tough losses, the Mountaineers gained valuable experience and momentum as they look ahead to tomorrow's action at the Doane Open in Crete, Nebraska. The team will return to the mat at 9:00 AM CT for the highly anticipated tournament, where they will face off against top talent from across the region.
