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The Oregon State wrestling recruiting class for 2008-09 has been ranked 18th in the nation.

The Beavers signed Michael Mangrum (Auburn, Wash.) and Jarrett “Bubba” Owens (Tillamook) during the early signing period, before landing Caleb Valloton (Bella Vista, Calif.) and Ty Vinson (Great Falls, Mont.) in May.

All four incoming student-athletes placed at last summer’s Freestyle/Greco tournament. Mangrum won his second junior Freestyle title, two years after winning both titles at the Cadet level.

Vinson and Owens were both two-time state champs in Montana and Oregon, respectively.

Rumors are circulating that St. Paris Graham’s David Taylor might very well be seeing Cyclone Red. Taylor, the #1 Junior in the country at all weight classes, has not made anything final with the Cyclones.

“Chances are Taylor will be the #1 guy overall coming into this season. Thats a phenomenal pick up for Cael and the Cyclones.” said Shane Jensen, lead author for TheWrestlingTalk.com.

Recruiting has been very impressive this year for the Cyclones. Along with Taylor you’re going to see top 50 recruits; Eric Thompson, Andrew Long, and Anthony Valles. Nate Carr Jr, Ridge Kiley, Chris Spangler, and Matt Brown are also members of this elite class.

The crowning moment of Jeret Chiri’s high school wrestling career came this past season when the New London/Winfield-Mount Union claimed his first state championship with a first-period pin in the Class 1A finals.

“It’s the best feeling in the world as of now,” he said. “Hopefully it gets better from here.”

Chiri will make his next move to Iowa in the fall. The three-time state place-winner who compiled a 180-14 record in high school said Thursday he will join the reigning NCAA champion Hawkeyes.

Women Want to Wrestle; Small Colleges Oblige
By KATIE THOMAS

Women’s wrestling teams are sprouting in the most unlikely places.

Missouri Baptist University, a small Christian liberal arts institution, is starting a team this fall. Oklahoma City University, the alma mater of three Miss Americas, began a program in 2007. And Menlo College near San Francisco, which specializes in business management and where nearly two-thirds of the students are men, has had a women’s wrestling team since 2001.

The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling program, fresh off a superb 2007-08 campaign, has finalized its recruiting class for the upcoming year. Ten outstanding high school talents are set to help the powerful program continue its climb on the national scene.

The class begins, alphabetically, with Justin Aube (Harrisburg, Pa.). Aube will matriculate at Central Dauphin High School this year after wrestling in Minnesota for three years. During his four years as high school wrestler, Aube was a three-time captain and four-time all-conference selection. A state qualifier, Aube helped guide Central Dauphin to the 2008 Team State Championship this season and was a member of the Mid-Penn All-Star Team. He ended his high school career with nearly 200 victories. Aube was also a member of the Minnesota Freestyle and Greco Roman squads and was two-time team MVP. Aube projects at 149 or 157.