PSU wrestling pinned to a loss

Most of us look forward to taking it easy and relaxing on the weekend. Portland State’s wrestling squad did not have that luxury Saturday or Sunday, as they hosted two tough dual meets vs. Pac-10 competition.

The team had already seen its share of difficult opponents this season, taking on three top-25 ranked teams en route to a 1-5 dual meet record.

Last weekend the going did not get any easier for the Vikings, as they suffered a pair of defeats at the Stott Center. 21st-ranked Cal State-Bakersfield handed PSU a 52-0 defeat on Saturday. On Sunday evening it was Oregon State’s turn and they pasted the inexperienced Viks 49-0.

In Saturday’s contest, Portland State suffered pins in the 125, 165, and 174 lbs. weight classes, effectively putting the match out of reach in the early going. That did not stop Viking junior Eric Mustoe from giving CSUB’s Eric Parker, ranked second in the Pac-10, a run for his money before falling 3-1 in the heavyweight match.

In an attempt to turn things around during Sunday’s match against Oregon State, the Vikings got a valiant effort from Allen Kennett in the 197 lb. clash. Kennett hung tough throughout the match before eventually losing 11-8 to Beaver Steve Grayson. The loss left Kennett still searching for his first Pac-10 win of the year.

Eddie Dahlen, likely PSU’s best hope for a win in the two dual meets, was sidelined with a sore knee, resulting in a loss by forfeit at 149 lbs. against both Oregon State and CSU Bakersfield.

Dahlen, ranking sixth in the Pac-10 and leading the Vikings with 13 wins this season, commented “We’re a young team right now and inexperience has hurt us, but the best thing for us is for these young guys to go against nationally ranked competition.”

The Vikings take on the Wyoming Cowboys in non-conference action 7 p.m. Friday at the Stott Center.