Sept. 27, 2010

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State wrestling team will open the 2010-11 season ranked 21st in the nation on D1CollegeWrestling.net's top 25 rankings. Additionally, a number of the team's wrestlers will open the year ranked in their respective weight classes.

The Beavers are one of four Pacific-10 Conference teams ranked in the top 25, and are joined by Boise State, Arizona State and Cal Poly. Oregon State completed the 2009-10 season with an 18-3 dual meet record, and at one point, was ranked 14th in the nation.

The Beavers sent six wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in Omaha, Neb., and head coach Jim Zalesky earned Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors.

The rankings not only recognized the team as a whole but individuals as well. Jason Lara is 14th nationally at 125 pounds, while Kelly Kubec is 10th at 133 pounds. Mike Mangrum is 12th at the 141-pound weight class, followed by Colby Covington at 174 (ninth). Clayton Jack rounds out the five OSU wrestlers ranked in the preseason as he is 13th in the heavyweight class.

All five were 2010 NCAA qualifiers, while Jack and Kubec also qualified in 2009.

Make sure to visit osubeavers.com for more information regarding the Oregon State wrestling team.

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