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Less talk, more action Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Eagle Point's Andrew Larsen, bottom, takes on teammate Matt Leonardo in Wednesday's practice. Larsen, who holds a 22-4 mark on the season, ranks fourth at 125 pounds. Eagle Point's Andrew Larsen isn't a household name, but the junior is one of the best wrestlers in the state at 125 pounds By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune EAGLE POINT - Andrew Larsen is a lot like the frame to your most cherished family photo. Although largely unnoticed, his importance should not be overlooked. Not bad for a wrestler no one really talks about around the water cooler. "He kinda sneaks up on you," says Eagle Point head coach Brad McBee. "You don't really think about him but he's always right there." You might counter with the fact that Larsen is ranked fourth and therefore must be appreciated around the state. The only problem with that theory is that Larsen sits behind Crater's Nate Gipson, who has spent most of the season wrestling at 130 and has routinely come up short in matches against Larsen the past few years. In their only match this year, Larsen earned a 2-0 decision. That kind of background makes you wonder if the BCS has anything to do with Larsen's standing. Just don't hold your breath for Larsen to file a formal complaint. "I'm glad they don't give me the credit for what I've done," he says. "When I go out there, they don't expect me to start taking them down. They just look at me like they can beat me. I don't want them to think I'm good because then maybe they'll be more prepared for me." Sage words from a 16 year old who must have struggled at Halloween because he simply doesn't say "Boo." "He's a pretty quiet kid," says Eagle Point assistant Rob Cowden. "That's something we've tried to work on because sometimes he takes that quiet nature out on the mat." Larsen credits Cowden for helping him become more aggressive this season, a fact that has led to Larsen posting a team-high 10 pins this season. Four of those falls helped Larsen win the recent Rogue Valley Classic, a fifth helped Eagle Point finish third as a team at last weekend's Oregon Wrestling Classic. "The thing Andrew's done a good job of this year is he never shuts down wrestling," says McBee. "He's always looking for a way to score, always keeping himself moving and keeping himself in the match. He just doesn't make those critical errors that put him in a big hole." And should that uncommon error put Larsen in a bind, he's shown a knack for turning the tide. "He's solid in every phase," says McBee. "He's good on his feet, good on top and good on the bottom. What helps him is he doesn't have a really glaring weakness. "There aren't any highs and lows with him either. And if it's a close match, he usually will find a way to win. He's not real flashy, he's just tough." Tough enough to qualify for the state tournament his freshman and sophomore campaigns, falling one win shy of the placing rounds last year at 119. "My main goal is to place at state this year," says Larsen, unfazed by his lack of notoriety. "Rankings don't really mean anything. It's nice to see my name up there but all that matters is how you end up at state." Less talk, more action. That seems to be a picture-perfect plan of attack. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.