PHOENIX – The Menlo (Calif.) Oaks wrestled true to their rankings and even pulled off one surprise in a 25-15 defeat of Southern Oregon, the first dual of the season for both teams Friday night at Phoenix High.

Menlo, the No. 4 team in the national preseason poll, claimed five of the final six weight classes behind five NAIA top-12 grapplers. The contest swung in the Oaks' favor on SOU's forfeit at 133 pounds and 12th-ranked Kevin James' 7-4 upset of third-ranked Hunter Hodges at 157.

The No. 9 Raiders took control early as 125-pounder Trey Long defeated Logan Eaton, 7-4, and 5th-ranked 141-pounder Devin Poppen followed the forfeit with a first-round pin of Ian Morken. SOU led 12-6 after 14th-ranked Chandler Michael took a 15-8 decision from Jeffrey Uyesaka at 149.

That's when the night turned. The Oaks got consecutive victories from James, ninth-ranked 165-pounder Joseph Jauregui (pin), fourth-ranked 174-pounder Anthony Orozco (decision) and eighth-ranked 184-pounder Bruce Valdez (major decision).

SOU's Tanner Fischer, ranked No. 5 at 197 pounds, stopped the bleeding with a slim 9-7 win against No. 19 Jovan Villalobos, but by then the outcome was already decided. Javier Gonzalez, the No. 3 heavyweight in the country, finished it by topping Zane Wardwell, 7-2.

The Raiders return to action Sunday at Pacific's Mike Clock Open in Forest Grove. They'll have their next dual next Friday at Eastern Oregon, another Cascade Conference squad.

MENLO 25, SOUTHERN OREGON 15
125 – Trey Long, SOU, dec. Logan Eaton, 7-4. (0-3)
133 – Elias Hernandez, Menlo, wins by forfeit. (6-3)
141 – Devin Poppen, SOU, p. Ian Morken, 1:49. (6-9)
149 – Chandler Michael, SOU, dec. Jeffrey Uyesaka, 15-8. (6-12)
157 – Kevin James, Menlo, dec. Hunter Hodges, 7-4. (9-12)
165 – Joseph Jauregui, Menlo, p. Scottie Stockman, 0:52. (15-12)
174 – Anthony Orozco, Menlo, dec. C.J. McKinnis, 8-4. (18-12)
184 – Bruce Valdez, Menlo, major dec. Max Hane, 14-1. (22-12)
197 – Tanner Fischer, SOU, dec. Jovan Villalobos, 9-7. (25-12)
285 – Javier Gonzalez, Menlo, dec. Zane Wardwell, 7-2. (25-15)