Wrestling hopes experience will pay off

The Portland State wrestling program looks at the upcoming season with high hopes. For the first time since joining the Pac-10, the Viks have a wrestler ranked first in the conference. Senior Jeremy Wilson is a two-time NCAA Qualifier and last year’s runner-up at the Pac-10 Championships. Wilson will start the season in the conferences’ top spot at 184 pounds.

The Vikings don’t have much room for illness or injuries with some of the weights only having one or two wrestlers.

The Viks have another ranked wrestler at the 174-pound class. Junior Quinn Collett is ranked fourth in this year’s Pac-10 conference. This year’s team has the most experience they’ve had in years, explained head coach Marlin Grahn. Grahn has high hopes for Wilson, Collett and the rest of team.

“I think the experience will pay off,” Grahn said. “Several wrestlers have already wrestled in the Pac-10.”

Portland State is ranked 9th in the Pac-10 as team, but with the experience of the wrestlers coach Grahn feels they will advance up the rankings.

We have the manpower, but we just need to stay healthy, explained Grahn.

The Vikings begin their fourth season as a Pac-10 team on Nov. 17, when they attend the Southern Oregon Open tournament in Ashland.