Quick turnaround hurts Vikings
The Viking wrestling team (6-9, 2-4 Pac-10) split a pair of dual matches last Friday and Saturday.
Friday’s 26-13 win was against Simon Fraser. But following the Simon Fraser match the Vikings had to travel to Boise, Idaho for a dual meet against Boise State’s Broncos. The Broncos won 32-7 over the Vikings.
In the Friday match against the Clansmen both teams won four bouts, but the Clansmen had to forfeit at two weight classes (133, 157) and the Vikings took advantage. The four wins are the most wins the NAIA Clansmen have been able to muster against the Vikings in their three meetings.
After a loss at 149 pounds, Portland State won the next four weight classes with senior Jeremy Wilson finishing it up with a 17-2 technical fall at 184 pounds. Other winners for the Vikings included Eric Mustoe at heavyweight, Ryan Thomas at 157 pounds, Shawn Keinonen at 165 pounds and Chris Parker at 174 pounds.
Simon Fraser is currently ranked No. 10 in the NAIA and after their third straight loss to the Vikings, the Clan fell to 2-10 in dual meets.
Turning around from the Simon Fraser victory, the Vikings arrived in Boise at 10 a.m. Saturday to take on the Broncos. The quick turn around was too much for Portland State, who won only two matches in the dual.
In Portland State’s first match at 197 pounds, junior Randy Davidson won the decision 5-3 over Jacob McGinnis. The Vikings didn’t register another win until the final match of the day and where else, but at 184 pounds. Wilson won a major decision over BSU’s Tony D’Amico 17-4, improving his record to 25-3 and 14-0 in dual meets. Wilson is currently ranked 1st in the Pac-10 and 16th nationally by InterMat.
Boise State started the season 0-3, but has won five straight. The Pac-10 Broncos had faced the Vikings in 28 prior meetings and led the series 20-8. Boise State improves to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-10.
The Vikings will have a chance for redemption against the Broncos in February. Boise State comes to the Peter Stott Center February 21, to face the Viks in another Pac-10 dual.
PSU is at home this Saturday to host the Wyoming Cowboys in a non-conference dual in the Peter Stott Center at 2 p.m.
