Simon Fraser University wrestling program will host its first dual meet in three years Sunday when the Clan men’s team takes on NAIA 15th-ranked Southern Oregon University Raiders on Sunday.
SFU is coming off its first-ever dual meet victory against an NCAA Div. II opponent at last weekend’s Tracy Borah Duals when it defeated Colorado State University-Pueblo 31-24.
The Raiders own a 6-1 dual meet record and are ranked 15th in the NAIA poll. They feature two nationally ranked wrestlers.
The meet begins 3 p.m. Sunday in the west gym.
SOU defeated the Clan earlier this season 35-17 but SFU forfeited three weight classes while the Raiders forfeited one.
Head coach Justin Abdou is expecting a much closer match on Sunday.
“There are a couple of weight classes where we are superior (133, 165) and there are a couple of weight classes they are superior (125, 157) so I think the pivotal weight class is 184 because that is one weight either team could win,” said Abdou.
SFU’s Morgan Smith, who leads the Clan with a 29-6 record, will likely face SOU’s Ryan McWatters, who is ranked third in the NAIA at 184.
Smith and McWatters have faced each other four times this season. McWatters has won all four matches.
“The last time they wrestled it was a close match and Morgan was in a position to win it but he got taken down at the buzzer,” said Abdou. “Their matches are getting progressively closer and this would be a great win for him and propel him into the post season.”
“Morgan needs to start with a good pace and really have a good first round because the majority of McWatters’ points have come early in their matches,” said Abdou. “McWatters is strong and counter attacks so if Morgan can keep the first round close and get him tired I think he can win.”
With 29 victories this season Smith has a chance to win 40 matches this season.
“It’s been a long time since he have had a 40-win season but the way Morgan is wrestling he could get there,” said Abdou.
Abdou noted heavyweight will be an extremely competitive match where Clan junior Sean Molle is the team’s starter. He was regionally ranked earlier this year before suffering an injury that forced him to miss much of the season. He has a 6-6 record.
“Sean is coming off an injury and has been inconsistent this year but he’s pushing through it,” said Abdou. “I have seen progress in all five of his matches since he’s been back and he’s working hard to find his form.”
Molle and SOU’s Alejandro Sandoval will likely face each other at heavyweight. They met earlier this year with Molle winning in overtime.
