Wrestling team signs four

OSU signs next season's class.

The Oregon State wrestling team signed four athletes Monday for the 2012-13 season. They are Joey Delgado (Hermiston), Joey Palmer (Covington, Wash.), Patrick Downey (Oviedo, Fla.) and Jack Hathaway (Iowa City, Iowa).

“It’s a good group that has accomplished a lot,” coach Jim Zalesky said. “They’ve gotten a lot of titles so far and have done very well nationally. As a coach, you not only look to see how they’ve done in their state or regionally, but against national competition.”

Delgado has wrestled at 130 pounds and most recently won the Tournament of Champions, for the second consecutive year. With the win in the final, he concluded his junior year with a 36-0 record. He is expected to wrestle at either 138 or 145 pounds this season.

“Joey is an in-state kid who is going for his fourth title,” Zalesky said. “He’s one of those kids who has always wanted to come to Oregon State. It was good to get to know his family and see what he brings to the table.”

Palmer is considered the nation’s No. 88 wrestling recruit nationally by The Open Mat. He is projected to wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds in college, and last season, defeated five state champions during his junior campaign. He has won one state championship and appeared in the finals twice. He has also appeared in the finals at the Fargo Junior Freestyle.

Downey was ranked No. 1 at 189 pounds in Florida’s 2A level while at Oviedo High. He won the NHSCA Senior Nationals at 189 pounds and the USA Junior National Freestyle title at 171. He’s also an honorable mention at 189 pounds by hswrestling.net.

Hathaway is ranked 19th nationally at 126 pounds according to Wrestling Insider News Magazine. Through three years at the high school level, he owns a record of 146-12 while competing at Iowa City West. He won the 3A state title at 125 pounds and has been a runner-up at FILA Junior Nationals, qualifying for the U.S. FILA Junior World Cup team.