Oregon State Wrestling Announces Four
For 2011 Signing Class
CORVALLIS,
Ore. –
Oregon State wrestling head coach Jim Zalesky announced the signing of four
student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Monday. They will join the
team for the 2012-13 season.
The
four student-athletes come from four states. They include: Joey Delgado
(Hermiston, Ore.), Joey Palmer (Covington, Wash.), Patrick Downey (Baltimore,
Md.) and Jack Hathaway (Iowa City, Iowa).
“It’s
a good group that has accomplished a lot,” Zalesky said.
“They’ve gotten a lot of titles so far and have done very well
nationally. As a coach, you not only look to see how they’ve done in
their state or regionally, but against national competition.”
Considered
the top wrestler in the state of Oregon, Delgado, who attends Hermiston High
School, has wrestled at 130 pounds and most recently won the Reser’s
Tournament of Champions, for the second consecutive year. With the win in the
final, he concluded his junior year with a perfect 36-0 record. He is expected
to wrestle at either 138 or 145 pounds this season.
“Joey
is an in-state kid who is going for his fourth title,” Zalesky said.
“He’s one of those kids who has always wanted to come to Oregon
State. It was good to get to know his family and see what he brings to the
table.”
Palmer
is considered the nation’s No. 88 wrestling recruit nationally by The
Open Mat. He is projected to wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds in college, and last
season, defeated five state champions during his junior campaign. He has won
one state championship and appeared in the finals twice. He has also appeared
in the finals at the Fargo Junior Freestyle.
“Sometimes
you recruit guys and another wrestler catches your attention,” Zalesky
said. “We were looking at Taylor Meeks. I remember going to watch Taylor
practice and then seeing Joey Palmer there as a younger guy. He caught my eye
and we’ve been watching him ever since. He won state last year. I
don’t think he was on too many people’s national radar lists until
this summer but we knew about him a couple years ago.”
Downey,
originally from Baltimore, was ranked No. 1 at 189 pounds in Florida’s 2A
level while at Oviedo High School. He won the NHSCA Senior Nationals at 189
pounds and the USA Junior National Freestyle title at 171. He’s also an
honorable mention at 189 pounds by hswrestling.net.
“Patrick
is a guy who came on last year,” Zalesky said. “He won the junior
nationals and has done well nationally. He’s a bigger guy and any time
you can find a good big guy, you have to go get him.”
Hathaway
is ranked 19th nationally at 126 pounds according to Wrestling
Insider News Magazine. Through three years at the high school level, he owns a
record of 146-12 while competing at Iowa City West High School. Most recently,
he won the 3A state title at 125 pounds and has been a runner-up at FILA Junior
Nationals, qualifying for the U.S. FILA Junior World Cup team.
“Jack
is one of those guys who has really gotten better every year,” Zalesky
said. “I watched him a couple years ago at junior nationals and then last
year on tape. He’s improved a lot. I know he comes from a pretty good
wrestling program. His coach, Mark Reiland, I coached at Iowa, so I know he
comes from a good coaching background. We’re excited to get him out
here.”
Oregon
State opens its 2011-12 home slate Friday night when the Beavers take on Simon
Fraser at Gill Coliseum. The meet starts at 7 p.m. PT.
Season
tickets and single-meet tickets are now available. Fans can purchase tickets by
calling 1-800-GOBEAVS, visiting the ticket area on osubeavers.com or in person
at the ticket office at Gill Coliseum. Season tickets for adults $46 and
senior/youth are $34. Single-match tickets for adults are $7 and $5 for
seniors/youth.
For
more on Oregon State wrestling, make sure and follow the team’s official
Twitter page at twitter.com/osu_wrestling and osubeavers.com.
FOR
MORE INFORMATION, contact Hank Hager at (541) 737-7472.
-----------------
Hank
Hager
Assistant
Director, Athletic Communications
Oregon
State Athletics
Cell:
541-230-0611
Office:
541-737-7472
osubeavers.com