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Raiders to host big mat tourney ASHLAND -- The fifth-ranked Southern Oregon University wrestling team opens its intercollegiate schedule Saturday at 9 a.m. in McNeal Pavilion as the host team for the 11-team Belcastro/Southern Oregon Open. Billed as the largest collegiate wrestling tournament on the West Coast, more than 250 wrestlers from 11 schools will compete for 10 weight-class championships. The Raiders stand to field a strong squad once again this year, with seven SOU wrestlers boasting NAIA national rankings. No. 2-rated senior Matt Armstrong leads the list of ranked Raiders at 165 pounds, with sophomore Ryan Escobar (125 pounds), senior Chris Bettineski (141) and senior Jamie Haddon (197) each ranked third in their respective weight classes. Senior Brian Samhammer is ranked fourth at 165, with senior Bill Wathen fifth at 184 and senior Victor Perry eighth at 174. Although not ranked, junior transfer Jason Gutches stands to be highly regarded when the first NAIA regular-season rankings come out in December. Gutches, of Medford, is expected to compete in the 174-pound weight class Saturday. He won the 167-pound Belcastro Open title as a sophomore at Oregon State in 1997. Several significant rule changes will be in effect this season in NCAA and NAIA wrestling, with none more apparent than an alteration in weight classes, which have been changed to 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, 197 and 285-pounds. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,