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Raider wrestlers stand in 5th place By KRIS HENRY ST. CHARLES, Mo . -- Southern Oregon stumbled a bit during Friday's opening rounds of the NAIA Wrestling National Championship, but the Raiders are still in position for their 19th straight top-10 finish. The seventh-ranked Raiders advanced four of their 12 entrants into today's championship semifinals, with freshman Nolan Harris still alive in the consolation bracket. With a total of 73.5 points, the Lights of Montana State-Northern closed the first day of competition at the 43rd annual tourney with a narrow lead over Missouri Valley College (70). Southern Oregon stands fifth with 49 points, trailing University of Mary (55) and Dickinson State (52). "Our goal right now is to hang in that top five if we can," said SOU coach Mike Ritchey. "We'll see what happens (today). We probably need to win every match from here on out to stay in the top five." Junior Justin Thurman (133 pounds), senior Josh Morton (165), sophomore Abe Haddon (184) and junior Dan Sturgell (184) each went undefeated in Friday's opening rounds. "I think our chances are fairly decent in the semis," said Ritchey. "I would be happy if we punch four into the finals. Any one of those could step up and (win a title). They're all in weight classes they can win." Haddon and Sturgell can make it an all-SOU final at 184 with wins today. Sturgell, the No. 3 seed, will face No. 2 seed Tyson Thivierge in one semifinal, while Haddon, the fifth seed, will take on defending national champion and No. 1 seed Jeremy Engelhardt. Engelhardt, from University of Mary, edged Sturgell 4-2 in last year's championship final at 184. Sturgell also lost to Thivierge of Montana State, 6-4, at the Las Vegas Invitational in December. Haddon advanced to the semis by beating Troy Worden of Briar Cliff College (Iowa), 8-1, and No. 4 seed Nathan James of Lindenwood, 14-4. Sturgell beat Marr Tyrrell of the University of Findlay (Ohio), 14-1, and Jacob Huebsch of Dickinson State, 9-5. Thurman received a bye in the first round and beat Joey Simcoe from Findlay, 6-2, to advance to today's semifinal against Brian Beil from University of Mary. Morton, who won the national title at 157 last year, pinned his way into a semifinal against No. 2 seed Pete Runez from Embry-Riddle. Morton, the No. 3 seed at 165, pinned Charlie Williams of Dickinson State at 2:47 and Travis Van Hill of Northwestern College (Iowa) at 1:47. Morton and Runez met in January, with Runez coming out on top with an 8-7 decision. Harris lost a tough 7-5 decision in overtime to No. 7 seed Andrew Medders of Cumberland University (Tenn.) in his first match. Medders went on to beat No. 1 seed Pat Runez from University of Mary and is in today's semifinals. Harris regrouped to pin Jake Herre from Dana College (Neb.) in 1:07 and pinned No. 3 seed Chad Hopkins, a returning All-American from Missouri Valley College, at 3:41. The worst Harris can place is eighth, and he faces No. 4 seed Chad Henderly of Findlay today to advance into the All-American round. The top-three placers become NAIA All-Americans and places four through six are honorable mention All-Americans. Those interested can follow today's final national championship action on the Internet at www.naia.org or www.sou.edu Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA