Wrestling Inks Two Recruits
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State has received the first two letters of intent for its 1998 wrestling recruiting class, getting word from Casey Horn of Salem and Jason Lovell of Turner that they will join the Beavers next fall.
"It's a great beginning to an outstanding class," OSU head coach Joe Wells said of the two, who are both ranked nationally in their weight class. "They're great kids, and they're both leaders. They both have an outstanding family background, there's been coaching in the family and they've been in athletics their whole life with a lot of support, and that's a real positive."
Horn and Lovell join an OSU team that loses just two seniors after it placed second in the Pacific-10 Conference this season and tied for ninth place nationally. That was the Beavers' fourth top-10 finish at the NCAA Championships in the past five seasons.
Horn was the Class 4A state champion at 125 pounds as a junior and finished third at 135 pounds this season for North Salem High. He was a four-time state placer and completed his career with a record of 140-10 with the Vikings.
"He's good on his feet, he's a great scrambler and he's a real technician," Wells said of Horn, who will wrestle at 126 or 134 pounds for OSU. Horn's father, John Horn, was wrestling coach at North Salem the past 14 years.
Lovell won state titles at 171 and 189 pounds his final two seasons at Cascade High. He had a record of 115-13 in his high school career and lost just one match this season; he has also earned honors as a football and baseball player.
"He's a real good athlete - strong on his feet, great takedowns and really aggressive," Wells said of Lovell, who will likely be a 177-pounder at OSU. "He's got a good attitude in terms of making something happen, and he's not intimidated by the competition. He's excited about the challenges he'll get from some of our bigger guys."
OSU expects to announce several more signings later this month.
