Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 5, 1983)
Wrestlers hope talent masks inexperience ... - ...... . n .« __ rv —in/I By Terry Rhoads Of Hie Emerald These are difficult times for a young and inexperienced Oregon wrestling team. Two years ago, the Ducks pluck ed the second of consecutive Pac-10 conference champion ships. This year's Oregon squad will be hard-pressed to mount a challenge for top three honors at the conference championships. What happened to a wrestling program that was making a strong bid to put a permanent hold on the league trophy just two years ago? "What we’re seeing is the result of the John Caine (former Oregon athletic director) era, where they cut all our recruiting for two years,” says Oregon coach Ron Finley. "During that time period (1980-81), Rick O'Shea was the on ly recruit that we really brought in and we're going to redshirt him this season. "It leaves us with very little experience." A quick look at the Oregon roster mirrors Finley's concern. The Ducks will tackle their re maining 20meet schedule with a talented but inexperienced freshmen-sophomore dominated lineup. Of the 27 athletes listed on this year's Oregon roster, 12 are freshmen, 10 are sophomores and Grapplers grab 34th at Caesars Palace tourney The Oregon wrestling team finished 34th out of 41 teams in the Caesars Palace Invitational last weekend in Las Vegas, Nev. Oklahoma State University, last year's NCAA runner-up, won the meet, which featured some of col lege wrestling's finest powers. Lorenzo West at 142 pounds and Dan Martin at 158 won their open ing matches, but were knocked out in the next rounds. Garret Clayton (118), Daemon Knight (167), and Martin advanced to the fourth round before being eliminated. The Ducks were hampered by injuries before the invitational as three starters — Sean Braddock, Lance Hochanadel, and Rafe Mumford — didn't make the trip. Huskers' Rozier runs to Heisman NEW YORK (AP) — University of Nebraska running back Mike Rozier, only the second back in NCAA history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season, won the Heisman Trophy Saturday night. Rozier, who rushed for 2,148 yards this year, became the 12th straight running back and 33rd overall to win the prestigious trophy. Ron Finley only one a senior. But Finley, who will coach the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team in the 1984 Olympics at Los Angeles, isn't fretting over the situation. To rebuild his program, Finley has recruited a horde of talent, in cluding a couple of high school all-Americans. "As far as the talent coming in, I i tnintc we ve goi mure urn ye<«i than we’ve ever had," he says. "Without any question, I think it's the best recruiting class we've ever had." Four freshmen in particular grab Finley's attention. Possibly the best newcomer is 142-pounder Sean Braddock. The Oregon Class AAA prep champion from Spr ingfield High School is considered one of the nation's top recruits. "He's a heck of a worker in the wrestling room, he really wants to become good," says Finley of his prize catch, who has been sidelin ed much of this season with injuries. Another top freshman who has spent the early part of this season out of commission is 118-pound Larry Topliff. The former Sandy High School standout represents great potential in Finley's view — he ripped through 80 straight op ponents last season on the way to an Oregon Class AAA prep state ti tle among other honors. The other two freshmen who make Oregon's future appear brighter are 167-pound Daemon Knight and 177-pound Brad 3iewara. ivmgni ndb uwrn pressive so far this season with a 6-4 record. Included was a 14-7 win against Portland State which keyed the Ducks' 19-18 season opening dual-meet victory over the Vikings. Steward, who won consecutive Alaska state titles as a prep, jumped out to a 6-0 mark this 'What we're seeing is the result of the John Caine era' _— Ron Finley season before finally losing at the Caesars Palace Invitational this past weekend where the Ducks finished 34th in a 40-team field. Other key Duck starters include junior Lorenzo West (142), senior Rafe Mumford (150), and sophomore Brett Hamilton (190-heavyweight). Finley says the Ducks will spend this season educating themselves for the future. Oregon has' test dates against such opponents as rav-iv puffcis ■ -- Arizona State. Nontheless, Finley, in his 14th season as the Ducks' mentor, sees a bright side — the future. "We re not starting over," says the Oregon coach, who went to Europe becaue of Greco-Roman coaching duties and will return in mid-December, "but it's going to take us one more year before we have the depth we need to fill all the weights." In the meantime, Finley will educate his young team while waiting for more numbers. Does Finley worry about sen ding his top freshmen up against some of the nation's best wrestlers? "It does bother me to put a freshman in over his head, and that's going to happen in some cases. I'm hoping, though, that all of this will pay off." The Ducks’ remaining schedule includes eight more home meets, including their own big meet, the Oregon Invitational on Dec. 18 with Oregon State, Division II champion Cal State-Bakersfield and Portland State. 1 Otter expires June 30.1984. • Limit—one per person • Otter void in Wyoming, Puerto Rico, and where prohibited.. » taxed or otherwise restricted • Please allow 8-8 weeks for. processing • No proofs of purchase will be accepted other than those specified • Otter gootfoniy in U S A., and U S. Gov't. Installations. * A proof of purchase is the "cup with letteisGFIC" cut from thepfastic lii 30* MANUFACTURER'S COUPON. OFFER EXPIRES 5/31 /84. 30* Here’s 30c to help you relax with General Foods" International Coffees. NB018G84 430 0 84830 0 2 This coupon good only on purchase of any flavor of General Foods International Coffees. Any.other use constitutes fraud COUPON NOT TRANSFERABLE. LIMIT-ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE. To The Retailer General Foods Corporation will reimburse you for the face value of this coupon plus 8* it submitted in compliance with General Foods Corporation Redemption Policy C-1, incorporated herein by reference Valid only if redeemed by retail distributors of our merchandise or anyone specifically authorized by General Foods Corporation Cash value 1/20C Mail to General Foods Corporation, P.O. Box 3600, Kankakee, III. 60902 S' 30*
