It was only fitting that the Boise State wrestling team’s home-opener Saturday against rival Oregon State came down to the final match of the night — the 133-pound clash.
That was the only match that featured a pair of ranked wrestlers: Boise State’s Andrew Hochstrasser (No. 1) and Oregon State’s Kelly Kubec (14th).
Hochstrasser dominated the match, posting an 11-0 major decision that allowed the Broncos to salvage an 18-18 tie with the Beavers. That meant Boise State was able to keep the Battle Axe — the traveling trophy that goes to the winner of the annual dual meet between the Pac-10 programs.
It didn’t feel like a win.
“It’s like kissing your sister,” Boise State coacg Greg Randall said.
Boise State won the first four matches of the meet that started at 9 p.m. and attracted 1,100 fans at Taco Bell Arena.
Three of the matches — Levi Jones (141 pounds), Jason Chamberlain (149) and Michael Cuthbertson (165) — were one-point wins by BSU. The other was a dominating performance by senior Adam Hall at 157. Hall, who is rated No. 1 by Intermatwrestle.com, rolled to a 22-7 technical fall over Alex Elder.
But the Beavers won the next five matches, including a 3-2 double-overtime win by Jason Lara over BSU’s Alan Bartelli at 125 pounds.
That win gave Oregon State an 18-14 edge going into the final match, meaning BSU needed a major decision to tie or a technical fall or pin to win.
Anything less would mean a loss for the nation’s No. 2-ranked team
That was the only match that featured a pair of ranked wrestlers: Boise State’s Andrew Hochstrasser (No. 1) and Oregon State’s Kelly Kubec (14th).
Hochstrasser dominated the match, posting an 11-0 major decision that allowed the Broncos to salvage an 18-18 tie with the Beavers. That meant Boise State was able to keep the Battle Axe — the traveling trophy that goes to the winner of the annual dual meet between the Pac-10 programs.
It didn’t feel like a win.
“It’s like kissing your sister,” Boise State coacg Greg Randall said.
Boise State won the first four matches of the meet that started at 9 p.m. and attracted 1,100 fans at Taco Bell Arena.
Three of the matches — Levi Jones (141 pounds), Jason Chamberlain (149) and Michael Cuthbertson (165) — were one-point wins by BSU. The other was a dominating performance by senior Adam Hall at 157. Hall, who is rated No. 1 by Intermatwrestle.com, rolled to a 22-7 technical fall over Alex Elder.
But the Beavers won the next five matches, including a 3-2 double-overtime win by Jason Lara over BSU’s Alan Bartelli at 125 pounds.
That win gave Oregon State an 18-14 edge going into the final match, meaning BSU needed a major decision to tie or a technical fall or pin to win.
Anything less would mean a loss for the nation’s No. 2-ranked team
