SOU NOTES

ASHLAND – The second-ranked Southern Oregon wrestling team closes out the regular season this weekend when the Raiders will travel to Forest Grove for a dual against Pacific on Friday at 7 p.m.

Southern Oregon, 10-3 in duals this season, will use this final dual as an opportunity to rest some of its regular wrestlers and give some of the younger athletes a chance to gain dual experience. Among the Raiders' ranked wrestlers, only No. 4 Austin Vanderford (Ninilchik, Alaska/Ninilchik) (184 pounds) and No. 10 Bubba Owens (Tillamook, Ore./) (285) are slated to compete on Friday.

“We're going to mix it up a little bit and get some guys in that need to get some experience,” SOU head coach Mike Ritchey said. “We're taking a few older guys along, so hopefully we can get the job done up there in Forest Grove.”

The Raiders have won their past four duals, including a pair of home victories last weekend against No. 20 Menlo and Simon Fraser. Southern Oregon defeated Pacific 41-3 in Ashland on Jan. 14, and the Raiders have defeated the Boxers in 18 consecutive duals.

Southern Oregon has faced Pacific 52 times since the 1961-62 season as the Raiders and Boxers have built a long-term cross-state rivalry. The Raiders have been the dominant team throughout the series, winning 47 duals to only five wins for the Boxers.

With the regular season winding down, the Raiders have extended their consecutive winning season streak to 42 years, stretching back to the 1970-71 season when legendary SOU coach Bob Riehm led the Raiders to an 11-2 record. During the streak, the Raiders are now 409-135-2 in dual meets.

Following Friday's dual, the Raiders will have a week off before hosting the NAIA Western Region Qualifying Tournament Feb. 18 at Bob Riehm Arena.

“We're just trying to start getting healthy and get ready for the qualifying tournament here on Feb. 18,” Ritchey said. “We're looking forward to it – it should be a fun week of wrestling.”