Beavers Finalize 2018 Recruiting Class

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State wrestling along with head coach Jim Zalesky have announced the addition of five more student-athletes, in addition to the four signed in the fall, bringing the total to nine for the 2018 recruiting class.

"I'm happy with our class," said Zalesky. "We've got guys with tremendous experience and are great people."

Jarrad Dixon – 197 pounds, Tacoma, Wash. (Lincoln High School)

A Tacoma, Wash. native, Dixon has made a name for himself over the past few years. He is a three-time Washington state champion, and most recently placed 7^th at the 2018 USA Wrestling Cadet and Junior Folkstyle Nationals. Dixon also took 4^th place at the 2017 Flo Nationals.

"Looking at our needs, we need depth at his weight (184/197) and he has come on the last few years with two state titles," said Zalesky. "He has a lot of upside potential to him as a college wrestler."

Riley Gurr – 133 pounds, Frenchtown, Mont. (Frenchtown High School)

Gurr will come to Corvallis from Frenchtown, Mont. holding three high school state championships in two different states. He is a two-time Montana state champion, also winning a state title in the Washington.

"He's one of those guys who is always wrestling everywhere, wrestling is his life and those are the kids you're looking for," stated Zalesky. "He has only been wrestling for six years, and he is another one that we think has a lot of upside potential."

Fred Green – 165 pounds, Orting, Wash. (University of Virginia)

Green comes to Oregon State having spent the last year at the University of Virginia, and previously at Boise State. He is a four-time Washington state champion out of Orting High School in Orting, Wash., and was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler as a senior at the Tri-State Championship. Green is a two-time Tacoma Athletic Commission/Key Bank Athlete of the Year selection (2013, 2014).

At Boise State he posted a 20-18 record in the 2016-17 season with a team-best 10 falls. He placed fourth at 157 pounds in the Pac-12 Championships.

"Green is from Taylor's [Meeks, Assistant Coach] high school, started at Boise State and went to Virginia and now he's coming back to the west coast," said Zalesky. "I think he'll be in the mix at 157 or 165 depending on what weight he settles at."

Brett Bell – 174/184 pounds, West Linn, Ore. (West Linn High School)

Bell is wrapping up his time at West Linn High School in West Linn, Ore. and brings some homegrown talent to the class. He most recently finished up his senior season with a 3^rd place finish at 182 pounds in the Oregon state championships.

"Brett's an Oregon kid who jumped up a few weight classes this past year," Zalesky said. "I think he could do really well wrestling at the collegiate level."

Tristan Osborn – 285 pounds, Newburg, Ore. (Newburg High School)

Osborn rounds out the 2018 class as another in-state talent from Newburg High School in Newburg, Ore. Osborn comes in at heavyweight after the Beavers graduated two from that weight class this year; Cody Crawford, Josh Parazoo. Osborn won the 2018 Oregon state championship at heavyweight, and recently took 1^st place at the Oregon JR Men Freestyle 2018.

"Osborn is coming in at heavyweight and really came on in his final year of high school," said Zalesky. "We needed some depth and bodies at that weight class besides [Amar] Dhesi."

Signees from the fall class are below:

Brandon Kaylor – 125-pounds, Bonny Lake, Wash. (Bonney Lake High School)

Kaylor hails from Bonney Lake, Wash. and is a three-time state champion looking to make it four in a row this season. Kaylor has an extensive list of accomplishments some of which include: 2017 Flo Reno Wolds Runner-up; 2017 Flo Nationals High School Runner-up; 2016 Fargo Junior Freestyle National 3rd place; 2016 Fargo Junior Greco National 5th place; 2016 Flo Reno Worlds Runner-up; 2015 Flo Reno Worlds Champion.

"125 was a big weight for us to recruit this year, Kegan grew out of the weight and we only have Ronnie there right now," said Zalesky. "That was an important weight to get, he has wrestled well nationally and I like her personality and attitude."

Logan Meek – 149/157-pounds, Central Point, Ore. (Crater High School)

Central Point, Ore. native Logan Meek holds a 71-7 record at Crater High School. He has an ample amount of experience, some of his wins include: 2017 California World Challenge; 2017 Junior Duals Greco-Roman; 2017 USAW Jr/Cadets Folkstyle Nationals; 2017 Junior National Duals Freestyle; 2017 & 2016 Oregon state champion.

"Logan Meek is an instate kid, he is one of those guys who is a gym rat and wrestles all over the place," said Zalesky. "He has done a lot on his own, he is a tough kid."

Hayden Still – 285 pounds, Lakewood, Colo. (Lakewood High School)

Still has only been wrestling for a few years, yet earned a fourth place finish at the 2017 Colorado State Wrestling Championships. He was the runner-up at the 2017 Colorado USA Wrestling Greco State Championships and 2017 Colorado USA Wrestling Freestyle State Championships.

"Hayden wrestles at heavyweight, and has only been wrestling since eighth grade," stated Zalesky. "We are looking for some heavyweights and we think he could compete at that weight."

Jackson McKinney – 174/184-pounds, Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview High School)

McKinney began his wrestling career as a freshman at Skyview High School. He currently holds a 54-7 record, including 11 pins. Some of his career highlights include: 1st place 2017 Washington Freestyle State Championship; 1st place 2017 Washington Greco State Championships; 2nd place 2017 Washington State Championships; Fargo All-American Greco.

"He is a lot like Still, we have two guys with a lot of experience, and two guys will little experience," said Zalesky. "He didn't' make his basketball team his freshman year so that's when he started wrestling just two and a half years ago. He didn't make the state tournament his first year, but was runner-up last season I think he has a lot of upside to him."

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Players Mentioned

Cody Crawford

Josh Parazoo

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