Oregon press release concerning Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational

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Allison Ross (Oregon Sports Information)
11/29/2000


OREGON: In Las Vegas     The University of Oregon wrestling team (2-0) will compete at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Tournament.    The field: Several teams will compete, including: Air Force, Arizona State, Boise State, Boston University, Brown, Buffalo, UC Bakersfield, Fullerton, Cal Poly, Clarion, Cornell, Edinboro, Fresno State, Harvard, Illinois, George Mason, Lehigh, Michigan, North Carolina, NC State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Portland State, Stanford, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.    The last time Oregon placed 14th with 44 points at this tournament last season. Senior Doug Lee (184) finished second to Vertus Jones of West Virginia. Brian Watson (133) defeated Andy Peters of Air Force to finish seventh in his weight class. Oklahoma State took first (170 points) and Illinois finished second (142 points).    Rankings Oregon has three wrestlers ranked in the top 20 in their respective weight classes according to Intermat.  Senior Doug Lee is ranked second (184), senior Chael Sonnen is ranked sixth (197) and junior Shaun Williams is ranked 13th (125).    All-American Boys: Both Sonnen and Lee will be looking to become two-time All-Americans this season. Sonnen was an All-American in 1998 after finishing with a 30-13 record, including 14 pins. Lee is a two-time Pac-10 Champion and finished fourth at the NCAA Tournament last season to earn his first All-America honor.    Home Sweet Home: The nation's best come to McArthur Court this season. Oregon hosts No. 1 Iowa Jan. 6, No. 10 Boise State Jan. 19, No. 13 Arizona State Feb. 2 and No. 19 Oregon State Dec. 13. The Pit is also the site of the 2001 Pac-10 Championships.    Head Coach: Chuck Kearney The third year Oregon head coach has an 18-15 overall record at Oregon. Kearney is a former Oregon wrestler (177) who earned All-America honors and was the team's Most Valuable Wrestler in 1988 after leading the squad to a 34-8-1 record. Kearney is a former Pac-10 Champion and his 34 wins in 1988 rank seventh all-time at Oregon for wins in a season. Kearney's assistants are Rick Stewart (Oklahoma State, 1982) and Jeremy Ensrud (Oregon 1998). Stewart, who wrestled at Oklahoma State, is a two-time NCAA Champion and four-time All-American. Ensrud is a two-time All-American and compiled a 106-29 record at Oregon.    Probable Oregon Starters  125: Shaun Williams, Jr., Pretoria, South Africa  133: Brian Watson, So., Canby, Ore.  141: Casey Hunt, So., Pendleton, Ore.  149: Tony Overstake, So., Medford, Ore.  157: Eugene Harris, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.  165: Leif Williams, Jr., Pleasant Hill, Ore.  174: Luke Larwin, Fr., Bend, Ore.  184: Doug Lee, Sr., Central Point, Ore.  197: Chael Sonnen, Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore.  HWT: Eric Webb, So., Eugene, Ore.