January 10, 1999

RALEIGH, N.C. - Ty Reynolds of Jamestown, N.C., the top-ranked high school wrestler in the country, has signed an athletic grant-in-aid to wrestle collegiately at NC State, beginning in the 1999-2000 season.

A three-time defending high school state champion, Reynolds has never lost a high school match and was preseason ranked as the No. 1 wrestler in the country, regardless of weight class, by Wrestling USA magazine.

"He's so advanced as a wrestler," said Dan Fickel, national editor for Wrestling USA. "He's a great technician on the mat. He definitely has NCAA championship ability."

Coached at High Point's Central High School by his father Larry Reynolds, Ty Reynolds was an instant sensation in high school, compiling a 33-0 record and winning the North Carolina 1-A/2-A state championship at 119 pounds as a freshman in 1995-96. He moved up to 135 pounds as a sophomore in 1996-97 with the same result, posting a 29-0 record and winning his second state title.

Reynolds made it a threepeat by winning the state championship at 140 pounds as a junior a year ago, finishing the season at 20-0, with all 20 victories coming by pin or technical fall. His final high school career record was 82-0, and following the 1997-98 season, he was ranked No. 1 in the country at 140 pounds by six different wrestling organizations.

Reynolds has finished third and second at 132 pounds at the USA Wrestling Junior National Championships the past two years, earning All-America honors both years. At the 1998 Junior Nationals, he won nine straight matches before he losing a close decision in the championship match.

"To say the least, we're absolutely thrilled to have Ty Reynolds joining our program," NC State head coach Bob Guzzo said. "Everyone who follows wrestling knows what a tremendous talent Ty is, but he's also a tremendous young man who is really going to be an asset to our program and university. We currently have a very young, talented team that is only going to get better and better, and Ty figures to be a very important part of this team in the future. We're just delighted that he chose NC State."