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41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, January 27, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 16, 2004 Well-rested Raiders face action-packed weekend By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Having essentially been out of action for a month, some re-introductions might be in order for the Southern Oregon wrestling team prior to Friday night’s dual meet with Portland State. By the end of this weekend, however, the eighth-ranked Raiders hope to have more than made a name for themselves as they embark on a three-day whirlwind that includes a dual meet with fifth- ranked Embry-Riddle and the Reno Tournament of Champions. "It’s obviously a big weekend altogether for us and we’d like to start it off with a victory against Portland State," says SOU head coach Mike Ritchey, whose team took part in a Dec. 3 alumni event but hasn’t been on the mat when it counts since the Best of the West Open on Nov. 20. Friday’s dual begins at 7 p.m. at McNeal Pavilion in Ashland. Ritchey says Portland State’s presence as an NCAA Division I school automatically raises the intensity level for the Raiders, who dominated the Vikings, 38-6, on the road last season but suffered a home loss to PSU (0-1) two years ago. Advertisement "Hopefully we can elevate to their level," says the 10th-year coach. "It’s going to be an interesting dual for us and an interesting weekend as we begin to find out what our lineup’s going to do and where our holes are going to be." SOU (1-0) boasts four wrestlers among the top eight in the NAIA rankings, led by top-ranked junior David O’Brien at 184 pounds. Juniors Jimmy Grochowsky (165) and Josh Fitzgerald (174) are ranked fourth and junior Grant Thompson (197) is ranked eighth. Beyond that, the Raider lineup may be filled with as many as five freshmen and one sophomore among the 10 weight classes. "We’ll have a mix of some young guns and some veterans this weekend," says Ritchey. "Those veterans hopefully will be able to lead the way and have the others follow along." Friday’s marquee matchup will be at 149 pounds, where former North Medford High standout Jimmy Ulrey takes on PSU’s Eddie Dahlen. The Viking senior led his team in wins (16) and pins (5) last year but will be making his 2004-05 debut after undergoing offseason hernia surgery. "That’s going to be a huge matchup," says Ritchey. "Dahlen’s traditionally been their highest-ranked wrestler and he’s given us fits over the course of his career." After posting a 1-2 record at 157, Ulrey has shed some pounds and Ritchey says the redshirt freshman is looking solid in the lighter weight. "He’s competing real well," says the coach. "He’s going to have to wrestle a smart match (Friday), there’s no doubt about it, but conditioning might be a little bit in our favor." Other SOU underclassmen penciled in for Friday’s dual are former Crater High standout and true freshman Taylor Wilkerson (285), sophomore Carl Green (125), redshirt freshman Nick Ripsom (133), freshman Joey Jannsen (141) and freshman Sean Stafford (157). Junior Rick Story (174) completes the lineup, with senior Rich Vigorito (157) getting the night off to prepare for Saturday’s dual in Reno against Embry-Riddle, which boasts five nationally ranked wrestlers. A full Raider contingent will then take part in the 23-team Reno Tournament of Champions on Sunday. After Friday, the Raiders don’t have a home match until Jan. 29 against Pacific. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers