The Barometer Online

Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Cory Reed Brice Arand, 184-pound sophomore, wrestles against Jake Meredith of Arizona State. Arand and Oregon State match up with No. 10 Boise State on Sunday.

With the end of the regular wrestling season beginning this Sunday, Oregon State will have its hands full when it plays host to the Pac-10 conference leader and nationally-ranked No. 10 Boise State at Gill Coliseum.

As the only conference team that the Beavers take on twice before the Pac-10 tournament, Oregon State will be looking for a better outcome than December's dual meet at Boise State (15-3, 6-0 Pac-10). After starting the meet 9-0 with a major decision by 197-ppound redshirt freshman Chad Hanke and a technical fall by redshirt freshman heavyweight Clayton Jack, the Beavers would only win one more match-up against the Broncos, ultimately losing the meet 25-13.

"The only difference between us and them is in our heads," Jack said. "If we wrestle a tougher match than we did last time, then we should win this dual meet."

The then-No. 13 Broncos have only improved since December, having won six straight meets as well as gaining three spots in the national rankings. As the only undefeated team in conference action, an upset win by the Beavers before the Pac-10 tournament would be a big momentum booster.

Having a strong streak of their own, Oregon State is more prepared for Boise State this time around, having won seven of the last nine dual meets. The Beavers have climbed the ranks to the top of the conference with a 10-7 record and 6-2 in the Pac-10; the only team surpassing them is the Broncos.

Coming off of a successful win against Arizona State, six OSU wrestlers hold winning streaks of at least two matches. Most notable is that of 149-pound senior Heinrich Barnes, who has won 11-straight matches bringing his victories of the season to 31.

"I think our team is a lot tougher than the last time we wrestled [Boise State]," Barnes said. "It should be a whole different match, and I think we will be on top."

Boasting an impressive six-match win streak of his own, Jack was able to brush off a knee injury that held him out of a meet against Cal State Bakersfield. Upon his return last weekend, Jack was able to pick up an important victory to give Oregon State the dual meet win against Arizona State.

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