OSU wrestling must replace six regular starters after winning Pac-10 title

By Noah Tinker OSU Daily Barometer

November 29, 2007

Corvallis, OR (CSTV U-WIRE) -- The No. 24 Oregon State wrestling team is proving to be just as dominant as last year's Pac-10 Championship squad, having already posted victories over Portland State (41-3) and Simon Fraser University (30-13) to begin the season.

Despite losing four starters and seven lettermen, including heavyweight All-American and Pac-10 champion Ty Watterson, and Pac-10 champion Jeremy Larson (174 pounds), a young Beavers squad has lost none of its swagger or determination.

"We've got a lot of new guys," senior Kyle Larson acknowledged. "But they're all hard workers."

Despite the new faces the goals remain the same.

"We're still looking to repeat as Pac-10 champions, make a return trip to the NCAA's, and place as high as we can," Larson said.

With 16 freshmen and only four seniors, some believe this will be a rebuilding year for a team that finished 17-2 under coach Jim Zalesky in 2006. Last season, they won the Pac-10 championship for the first time since 1994, and climbed as high as No. 16 in the national rankings.

Returning for his second season, Zalesky brushed aside such speculation, and confirmed his team was just as committed to the same goals as last year.

"We're still getting everybody settled in but we're staying focused on what we need to do to improve and move forward," Zalesky said. "As far as our goals are concerned, they've always been the same: the Pac-10 and NCAA tournaments."

To that end Zalesky has a guarded but positive outlook after witnessing his team in action.

"Things are going good and the guys are responding," Zalesky said. "It's just a matter of improving, and making sure to cut down on mistakes and mental errors."

So far, the Beavers have kept victory in their corner.

"The wins so far have helped with building our confidence," Larson said. "We've all been learning, and listening to the coaches and the improvements they want us to make."

In addition to their victories over PSU and Simon Fraser, many wrestlers were granted the opportunity to showcase their skill and determination in the Best of the West Tournament in Central Point, Oregon on Nov. 17.

Four Beavers emerged as champions of their weight class: junior Heinrich Barnes, redshirt freshmen Chris Platt, junior Kyle Bressler and sophomore Brice Arand. One of two transfers from Div. II North Idaho College, Barnes walked away with the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler Award.

"The practices have been going good, they're really quite tough actually," Barnes said. "The coaches and everyone on the team are really open and eager to help you improve."

"Everyone is mixing good and getting along well," Larson added.

Zalesky has liked what he's seen at this point of the year.

"There's been a lot of competition in the room, which is good," he said. "Guys are stepping up and pushing each other, and keeping the work ethic high."