OREGON CITY, Ore.–  Coming off another sweep this previous weekend, the Clackamas Community College Wrestling team will enter Winter Break with two massive task ahead.

Facing defending Pacific-12 Champions, and 22^nd-ranked Oregon State University Beavers and the Reno Tournament of Champions.

“We definitely need to be ready to match the intensity level of Oregon State and the Division I guys we will see in Reno!” said Cougar Head Coach Josh Rhoden.  “We will be tested this weekend no question and I think our team is going to have to be ready to go right away on Friday.”

Considering how short the week is for CCC for practice, the primarily focus is pace and focus.

“This week on a bit shorter practice week we will focus on controlling the pace of matches,” said Rhoden.  “Keeping our weight in check and mentally preparing these guys for the weekend.

“It will definitely challenge us on all fronts and be a great opportunity for growth as a team and individual.”

The good part about facing Oregon State and a variety of schools like Boise State University and Stanford of NCAA Division-I, Menlo College and Simon Fraiser of Division-II,  Southern Oregon University and Montana State University-Northern of the NAIA to name a few of the squad competing.

The Cougs aren’t the only Junior College taking part in the Tournament; they’ll see familiar foes like Highline College and Southwestern Oregon taking part alongside them in battle.

For Rhoden, he knows this weekend will force his team to answer the bell early in the season, all in part in preparations for the National Duals at the end of the season.

“Ideally it forces us to raise our intensity level and our wrestling ability in order to make some gains during this middle part of the year,” he said.  “Wrestling a D-1 school and the Reno TOC will prepare us for National Duals and the Nationals Championships by competing against the best guys we can.”

Clackamas will take to the mat versus OSU at 7pm Friday night in Corvallis, as for the Tournament of Champions in Reno.  That Sunday morning.