Mail Tribune Sports - No. 4 SOU triumphs in opening dual

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

1999-10-11

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No. 4 SOU triumphs in opening dual ASHLAND -- The fourth-ranked Southern Oregon University wrestling team got on the winning track Thursday in a big way, thumping Pacific Lutheran, 42-6, in front of 200 onlookers at McNeal Pavilion. The Raiders (1-2) won their first dual of the season and improved to 24-0 all-time against the Lutes (3-3) by capturing eight of the 10 matches, including forfeits at 125, 157 and 165 pounds. After starting the dual by surrendering six forfeit points at 125, Pacific Lutheran thwarted a Raider shutout when senior Hoc Do decisioned sophomore Justin Thurman at 133 pounds. Following Chris Bettineski's match termination of John Henry at 141, the Lutes cut the SOU lead to 11-6 when Matt Werner tallied a takedown of senior Jesse Mindlin with three seconds left for a 3-1 win. But it was all SOU after that as a pair of Lute forfeits and Brian Samhammer's major decision at 174 set up Dan Sturgell's dual-clinching pin of Mike Manual at 184. Former Phoenix High state champion Steve Santoni capped the scoring with a pin in his first dual-meet start as a Raider 285-pounder. "It was a good win for Steve," SOU coach Mike Ritchey said. "It's always nice to end a dual with a pin. "Sturgell was the most intense of our guys, and Chris (Bettineski) is doing a good job of getting his confidence back after the shoulder injury." Thursday's results 125 -- Ryan Escobar, SOU, won by forfeit; 133 -- Hoc Do, PLU, d. Justin Thurman, 7-3; 141 -- Chris Bettineski, SOU, match termination John Henry, 22-7; 149 -- Matt Werner, PLU, d. Jesse Mindlin, 3-1. 157 -- Josh Morton, SOU, won by forfeit; 165 -- Matt Armstrong, SOU, won by forfeit; 174 -- Brian Samhammer, SOU, major d. Abe Porter, 11-1. 184 -- Dan Sturgell, SOU, pinned Mike Manual, 3:49; 197 -- Jamie Haddon, SOU, d. Mark Cypher, 3-2; 285 -- Steve Santoni, SOU, pinned Rob Shipp, 3:24. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune   Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford,