Grand Canyon University Athletics
Antelopes host Portland State in home dual
11/12/2008 10:22:45 AM | Wrestling
When the Antelopes get ready to lock horns Saturday, they'll be staring across the mat at an unknown.
"I really don't know much about 'em," Grand Canyon coach R.C. LaHaye said.
The Antelopes meet NCAA Division I Portland State University at 7 p.m. Saturday night at GCU in the first big dual in purple country. Portland State will wrestle at Arizona State on Friday before visiting Grand Canyon.
The Vikings were 1-15 a year ago. They usher in 11 newcomers on a squad that returns 12 with three starters. Grand Canyon is fielding a team that returns one starter and many who competed in the program in open invitationals.
LaHaye, a nationally-accomplished wrestler in his collegiate days, knows the ins and outs of this sport. So it's rare that he wouldn't have a bead on an opponent. But because the Vikings compete in the Pac10, GCU isn't taking them lightly, despite last year's record.
"We're definitely the under dog here, and we're just going to go out and wrestle hard," said LaHaye (pictured). "It's exciting to get a Division I team here in our home gym. That's exciting for Grand Canyon."
How it all shakes out is up to the Antelopes to decide.
"We're still a young team," LaHaye said, "but we'll find out in the next couple weeks what the kids are made of."
