SPOKANE, Wash. – The Eastern Oregon University Men’s Wrestling team delivered a strong all-around performance at the Spokane Open, earning multiple podium finishes and showcasing depth across several weight classes
No. 3 ranked Nico Rodriguez put together an impressive run to reach the finals at heavyweight. He opened with a 1:44 fall, followed by a tight 7-5 decision victory over #14 Shane Mattson of MSUN. Rodriguez continued his momentum with another fall in 2:01 and a 3:48 technical fall. In the championship match, he battled but dropped a major decision, 13-5, to UN’s KC Buday. His runner-up finish capped off the strongest tournament showing of the team.
After a first-round bye, No. 11 Jackson Eylar dominated SFU’s Benjamin Sommers with a 21-3 technical fall and followed it with a 15-6 major decision. He dropped a close 7-3 bout but rebounded with a no-contest and a strong 9-1 major decision over Providence’s Garrett Head to secure 3rd place. Eylar’s consistency and offensive output were highlights of the bracket.
Kai Carson turned in a gritty performance at 133 lbs. He opened with a fall at 4:32 and a 12-4 major decision over Corban’s Sully Hill, then added another fall in just 1:22. After a setback by fall, Carson responded with a no-contest and closed out his day with a narrow 9-7 decision, earning 3rd place behind a series of tough, high-pace matches.
With a first-round bye, Cole Cross got rolling quickly with a 2:57 fall, followed by back-to-back major decisions, including a 9-1 win over Providence’s Austin Ramirez. He dropped a close 7-5 match but finished the day in 3rd after claiming a no-contest win and forfeit.
Competing alongside Rodriguez at heavyweight, Hayden Martin also earned a podium finish. He opened with a lightning-quick 56-second fall, followed by a 7-2 win over MSUN’s AJ Harris and a 2:20 fall over UN’s Brock Hanford. After a tough technical fall loss, Martin bounced back with a forfeit victory and a dominant 16-0 technical fall over WSU’s Thomas Stanhope to finish 3rd.
John Rudebaugh battled through a long day at 165 lbs, highlighted by multiple pins and tech falls. After a fall in 5:00, he dropped a competitive 13-8 match to No.19 Jalen Vladic from Providence. Rudebaugh then surged back with a 1:19 fall, an 18-2 tech fall, and back-to-back falls in 3:56 and 4:11. He advanced through another no-contest before ultimately finishing 5th due to match-limit rules.
Carlos Valdez rounded out the podium with a high-scoring, high-pace day at 157. He opened with a fall in 3:50 before running into No.1 Hunter Hobbs from Providence, falling in 56 seconds. Valdez rebounded with three straight technical falls—19-3, 21-2, and 21-3—then added an 18-8 major decision. His day ended with two forfeits, placing him 6th after a strong offensive performance.
The Mountaineers continue to build momentum as they move deeper into the season. EOU will return to action on December 5th as they head to Crete, Nebraska for a dual against Wayland Baptist and the Doane Tournament on December 6th.