The Beavers wrestling squad had itself another top ranked opponent Friday night after facing off against Ohio State on Jan. 5.
This time it took the form of the No. 15th ranked Stanford Cardinals, with Stanford taking the win while facing off in Gill Coliseum.
“Even though we might have struggles sometimes with these duels I just know all of us are training so hard. We have a great staff, I wouldn’t want anyone else,” said sophomore Christopher Hamblin.
Oregon State was given an upper hand right off the bat. With freshman Hunter Taylor taking a forfeit at 125. However this lead was immediately cut into by Stanford freshman Tyler Knox taking a victory by decision with riding time.
The score of the meet was then tied at six by a questionable win from Stanford fifth-year Jason Miranda over Oregon State sophomore Nash Singleton.
Singleton was down for the majority of the match, but showed signs of life by literally running out of his opponents grasp for his first escape. Within the last 30 seconds of the match, Singleton scored a takedown that tied the match 4-4 as the clock hit zero.
After the match had concluded. Miranda was awarded two more points and given the win by decision.
Momentum turned the other way quickly by a dominant win by decision from Oregon State freshman Ethan Stiles over the number eight ranked Stanford sixth year Jaden Abas, as well as a win from Hamblin at 157. Stiles almost ended the match as soon as it started by holding his opponent close to a pin for close to 45 seconds. Hamblin’s match was much closer, but he took the match by a 5-2 decision.
“I’m happy I got the win, I felt like I could have done a lot more. It’s just about pushing the pace,” said Hamblin.
In the 165 match, Beavers fans were treated to the Gill Coliseum debut by OSU junior Steel Starren. He showed off his skill rather well and even scored a well-placed trip from a single leg hold position. However, it was Stanford freshman Zach Hanson that managed to hold him off for the decision victory.
Oregon State sophomore Murphy Menke took a victory right back in the 174 match, showing off the power with two mid-air by the waist slams into the mat to his opponent.
The Wrestlers in the 184 pound class saw no such luck. Both had control of their opponents at some point in the match by the waist, but were unable to lift the other from their feet.
OSU freshman TJ Mcdonnel was down the whole match and nearly made a beautiful takedown in the last ten seconds of the match, which would have given him the win. Despite even a challenge by head coach Chris Pendleton, it was decided the move was not a takedown and Stanford was awarded the win by decision.
“It is what it is. They didn’t give it, I believe it’s three,” said Hamblin.
Stanford fifth-year Nick Stemmet gave the meet its first fall by pin over Oregon State Vaun Halstead in the 197 match. This gave Stanford the lead at 18-16 with one match remaining.
It was all up to Oregon State senior Brett Mower in the final Heavyweight bout. With him and his opponent sophomore Peter Ming both ranked in the top 30 in the class, they both had their work cut out for them.
Mower scored the first take down of the match, but Ming was able to give himself a one point lead heading into the third period. Mower, despite his best efforts, let Ming score four more points, solidifying the win for Stanford.
“He’s a guy that always puts out for our team. Came up a little bit short but that doesn’t mean anything, that doesn’t mean he’s gonna sit up there and hold his head down. He’s gonna get right back to work,” said Hamblin.
The Beavers look to change the current course in the next matchup against California State University Bakersfield on Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. in Gill Coliseum.
