First Open Practice & News!

The first Open Practice for 2013-14 was held this Saturday. A small but enthusiastic group of family and friends were on hand to observe.

It was large group of Oregon State wrestlers, with about 40 guys working out, instead of the usual 30+. Lots of new faces to learn. Since this was a pre-season work out, one of last year's team captains, All-American RJ Pena was putting the guys through their paces. There were some great scrambles, it's going to be an interesting season! The updated team roster with photos should be posted soon, then it will be easier to pick out who is who next time.

A few observations - new heavyweight recruit Amar Dhesi and Chad Hanke were sparring partners. Neither wanted to give an inch. Chad looks slimmed down from last year, both of them are fast! A couple of other heavyweights were on hand, Mick Dougharity and Josh Parazoo, along with Austin Morehead looking like a 184, potential 197 Cody Crawford and another face or two I didn't recognize, filling in that need for more big guys. More competition makes everyone better!

Taylor Meeks and roommate Brian Engdahl were battling right in front of the stands where we were sitting. By the time it was over, that corner of the mat was drenched. They were really pushing each other. That seemed to be the feeling throughout the room. No slouching off in the corners! As one of the veterans said, none of the new guys came in "with their head down". Everyone seemed ready to be vying for the starting spot! Others I saw sparring together: Joey Delgado and Jared Reis, Joey Palmer and Jack Hathaway.

We now have two sets of brothers on the team, Toney and Tyler Chay and the VanAnrooy's - Drew and Reed.

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Besides the team, some other faces in the room - helping out with the team: Chad Hanke and Mike Mangrum, also Jake Gonzales, whom I am sure a lot of you remember from a few years past. Nice to see him back working out with the guys like old times! Garrett Drucker was present, he has been doing some work on signs for the locker room and will be making some plaques for the lobby. He has also been working on this year's lapel pin design for the FALL Club. Thanks, Garrett! Good to have multi-talented wrestlers from your ranks!

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Director of Operations Jason Lara couldn't be there, he had to make an airport run.

Geena & Jason's wedding

Jason has been busy otherwise, as he and Geena were married earlier this month! The Lara's wedding took place in Southern California. Congratulations, Jason & Geena! May you have many happy years together!

Thanks for sharing the photo, Geena :)

Go Beavs!

Olympic Wrestling - A Long History

Olympic wrestling trophy

 Just in case anyone is wondering how long wrestling has been associated with the Olympics....

FALL Board member Gary Westford just sent this photo. this is what he said:
"I'm at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. As a new wrestling season begins, thought you would enjoy seeing this vase that was awarded to an Olympic champion in ca.550-525 BCE."


Nice trophy! They don't make them like that anymore.

Hmm, interesting choice of colors, orange & black. I guess those colors go way back, too!

drinking cup, ca. 500 BCE, wrestling theme

  Gary also sent this photo of a drinking cup in the Museum with a wrestling theme. The 4 figures represent a judge, 2 wrestlers and a trainer. If you look closely at the figure on the left, the hand position appears just like that of a referee showing which wrestler has advantage. Some things don't change!

 Thanks for sharing your photos, Gary!


Go Beavs!