Oregon State defeated Oregon 23-14 on Friday night, but it was an emotional victory for Jim Zalesky and the OSU wrestling team.
"I think there were a little more emotions for both teams because this could be the last year we get to wrestle (each other), and it's something neither team wants to see happen," Zalesky said after the match.
Due to the reinstatement of the baseball program, the wrestling program is expected to be terminated after this season.
The Beavers and Ducks have one more match-up scheduled for later this season. It will be at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. That means Oregon State has likely wrestled in Mac Court for the last time.
I know next to nothing about wrestling, but I do know that Oregon State does not want to see it's rival, Oregon, lose their program. In a sport that is losing popularity, they need all the support they can get.
"We'd like to see Oregon get reinstated here and keep that rivalry going (and) hopefully wake up the Oregon athletic department," coach Zalesky said.
Here are the results from the match:
Oregon State 23, Oregon 14
125 Pounds: Jake Gonzales, OSU, decision over Beau Malia, ORE, 8-2; OSU 3, ORE 0
133 Pounds: Ryan Dunn, ORE, technical fall over Clifton Ivanoff, OSU, 22-7; OSU 3, ORE 5
141 Pounds: Heinrich Barnes, OSU, decision over Brett Gray, ORE, 6-4 (OT); OSU 6, ORE 5
149 Pounds: Kyle Larson, OSU, pinned Cody Moulton, ORE, 4:12; OSU 12, ORE 5
157 Pounds: Dan Brascetta, OSU, major decision over Jeremy McLaughlin, ORE, 16-11; OSU 16, ORE 5
165 Pounds: Keegan Davis, OSU, major decision over Zack Frazier, ORE, 14-4; OSU 20, ORE 5
174 Pounds: Ron Lee, ORE, decision over Neal Beaudry, OSU, 9-4; OSU 20, ORE 8
184 Pounds: Brysen French, ORE, decision over Kyle Bressler, OSU, 8-5; OSU 20, ORE 11
197 Pounds: Brice Arand, OSU, decision over Shaun Dee, ORE, 6-3; OSU 23, ORE 11
Heavyweight: Charlie Alexander, ORE, decision over Travis Gardner, OSU, 2-1; OSU 23, ORE 14
If there is anyone out there who follows OSU wrestling and would like to occasionally write about the team on this site, e-mail Jake at jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com .
GO BEAVERS!
--JB--