Feb. 15, 2004
Stanford, Calif. - Stanford won nine of ten matches against Portland State to win the final dual meet of the season by a 42-3 margin. Imad Kharbush (174) opened the meet with a pin and three Stanford victories by forfeit led to Stanford's seventh dual victory in as many meets. The Cardinal ends the year 10-4 with a 6-2 record in the Pac-10.
Kharbush started the meet with a pin of PSU's Josh Gustafson at 3:47. After the Vikings forfeited to John Garfinkel at 184, Larry Ozowara (197) wrestled the most exciting match of the night. Allen Kennet of PSU led 4-2 in the closing seconds and it seemed Ozowara was set to lose Stanford's first match of the night. With only one second on the clock, Ozowara suddenly took down Kennet to tie the score 4-4 and send the match into overtime. The two wrestlers both scored two points in the first overtime to send the match into the second overtime. With both wrestlers tiring, Ozowara took down Kennet in the second overtime and nearly pinned him for 5 points and the 11-6 win.
After Ozowara's inspiring win, Shawn Ritzenthaler (285), Paul Gross (133), and Brad Metzler (141) all took major decisions. Ritzenthaler recorded three near falls in the second period of his match against Steven Fittinger, winning 11-3. With seven take downs in the match, Gross won a 16-4 major decision over Lucas Hamilton. At 141, Brad Metzler won 17-7 over Ben Barch.
The only blemish for Stanford was at 149, where Portland State's Eddie Dahlen beat Luis Vendrell 5-3. Dahlen took Vendrell down twice to avoid PSU's second straight shutout. In the final two matches of the night, Matt Gentry (157) won by forfeit, and Brian Perry recorded a 10-5 decision.
Stanford said goodbye to its graduating seniors in the final home meet of the season. Brad Metzler, Paul Gross, John Garfinkel, Brendon Fox, Scott Polley, Garrett Johnston, matt Twomey, Sam Lofland, and Marcus Glass say goodbye to wrestling on the Farm and will all be missed.
After seven straight dual victories Stanford heads to the Pac-10 Championships with momentum. The Pac-10 tournament will be held Sunday, February 29 and Monday, March 1 in Tempe, Arizona.
Stanford (42) vs. Portland State (3)
174 - Imad Kharbush (Stanford) fall Josh Gustafson (PSU), 3:47
184 - John Garfinkel (Stanford) by forfeit
197 - Larry Ozowara (Stanford) dec. Allen Kennett (PSU), 11-6 (2-OT)
285 - Shawn Ritzenthaler (Stanford) maj. dec. Steven Fittinger (PSU), 11-3
125 - Tanner Gardner (Stanford) by forfeit
133 - Paul Gross (Stanford) maj. dec. Lucas Hamilton (PSU), 16-4
141 - Brad Metzler (Stanford) maj. dec. Ben Barch (PSU), 17-7
149 - Eddie Dahlen (PSU) dec. Luis Vendrell (Stanford), 5-3
157 - Matt Gentry (Stanford) by forfeit
165 - Brian Perry (Stanford) dec. Devin Mair (PSU), 10-5