EOU’s Wrestling teams rank top 5 during pre-season polls
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, October 16th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – The CCC recently released its 2023-24 pre-season polls for men and women’s wrestling, with both of Eastern Oregon University’s teams ranking in the top five. EOU gave a bit more context to these rankings, and what to expect from the players themselves, in two separate releases. For the men’s team:
“The Cascade Collegiate Conference announced recently the 2023-24 Men’s Wrestling Preseason Poll. The Mountaineers were picked to finish fifth receiving 84 points. Eastern finished with an 8-2 record in the 2022-23 season ranking as high as No. 7 nationally.
Eastern Oregon secured the fifth spot with 84 total points behind Montana State- Northern (92), University of Providence (93), Southern Oregon (97), and Menlo College (116). The Mounties finished third at the conference tournament a season ago and 12th at the NAIA National Championship earning two All-Americans. Eastern brings back one of their All-Americans and National Runner-Up in Hunter Sparks of the 125 pound division for his senior season. The Mountaineers also return EOU all-time pin leader in Kyle Knudtson. The team will miss the contributions of All- American Noel Orozco, Marco Retano, and Keegan Mulhill, but the addition of promising newcomers JR Scott and Josh Collins brings fresh talent to the Mounties roster.
Eastern Oregon will begin their season on Saturday, Nov. 4 as they take on the Warriors of Corban University at home in Quinn Coliseum. Match time is set for 3:00 p.m”
And for the women’s team:
“The Cascade Collegiate Conference announced recently the 2023-24 Women’s Wrestling Preseason Poll. The Mountaineers were selected to finish fourth receiving 38 points. Eastern finished 6-3 in the 2022-23 season and earned a 12th place finish at the NAIA National Championships.
The Mountaineers were tabbed fourth in the Cascade Collegiate Conference preseason poll behind Menlo College (53 points), University of Providence (54 points), and Southern Oregon University (60 points). Eastern returns standout freshman Liv Wieber of the 143 lb division, who finished fifth at the NAIA National Tournament and Runner up at the CCC Championships, for her sophomore season. Despite facing the loss of Erin Redford, Olivia Robinson, and Morgan Shines, the Mountaineers bring back several strong returners and an incoming group of eight promising freshmen.
Eastern Oregon will begin their season on Saturday, Nov. 4 as they take on the Geoducks of The Evergreen State College at home in Quinn Coliseum.”
