Oregon State’s Michael Mangrum won the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in December. Tony Rotundo photo.

Oregon State junior Michael Mangrum has experienced his share of success at the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

He won three matches at the 2010 NCAAs in Omaha and earned three more victories during the 2011 NCAAs in Philadelphia.

But he’s also experienced his share of disappointment at college wrestling’s showcase event.

Mangrum fell just one win short of achieving All-American honors as both a freshman and sophomore at 141 pounds.

“I feel like I should’ve placed both years,” said Mangrum, who entered both tournaments unseeded. “It’s still hard to think about and hard to talk about. It was rough, being so close and coming up short. I was upset and I was angry. It was heartbreaking.”

Mangrum is on course to land a spot on the NCAA podium this season. He is 30-2 and ranked No. 3 nationally at 141. His only two losses this season have come to No. 2 Boris Novachkov of Cal Poly, a wrestler he has also defeated this season.

Just a few hours after the 2011 NCAA tournament, Mangrum approached Oregon State coach Jim Zalesky in the team’s hotel.

“What do I need to do to get there?” Mangrum asked.

“I think last year was a wake-up call for Mike,” Zalesky said. “He knows he only has two years left now, and I think he’s ready to buy into what he needs to do.”

Mangrum said Zalesky’s message was clear and direct.

“Jim told me that I was good enough to wrestle with anybody in the country and beat them,” Mangrum said. “My mindset wasn’t right and I knew I didn’t train hard enough. He told me I had to get my weight under control and manage that better. That affected me at the end of last season. I had nothing left at the end of the year.”

Mangrum has managed his weight better this season. He said he cooks his own meals at home now and eats less fast food than he has in the past.

“It’s made a big difference for me,” he said. “I feel so much better when I wrestle. I feel faster and stronger. I am doing a lot better with my nutrition. I am eating better and feeling a lot better.”

Mangrum’s improvement was evident when he won the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in December. He beat Novachkov before downing Ohio State’s Hunter Stieber in the finals. Stieber had upset returning national champion Kellen Russell of Michigan en route to the finals.

“Mike is doing the right things to be successful this season,” Zalesky said. “His diet is better and his conditioning is better. He understands what you need to do to win at this level. He’s good on his feet and he’s hard to take down. He’s developed some good leg attacks. He can scramble, and he’s good in most areas. He’s fun to watch wrestle.”

Mangrum suffered a pair of losses to Novachkov after beating him in Vegas. They likely will meet again at the Pac-12 tournament.

“We’ve had some tough matches,” Mangrum said. “I just need to keep attacking when I wrestle him.”

Mangrum won three state high school titles while growing up in Auburn, Wash. His father, Carl, wrestled collegiately for Washington.

“My dad took me to my first wrestling practice when I was 4 years old,” Michael Mangrum said. “He coached me and taught me a lot about the sport. We talk a lot and he provides huge support for me.”

Mangrum said Oregon State has been “a perfect fit for me.”

“I was sold when I went there on my visit,” he said. “I liked the guys on the team and the coaches were amazing. And plus it is close to home. It has worked out great for me.”

Mangrum is hoping to become Oregon State’s first NCAA champion since Les Gutches won back-to-back titles in 1995 and 1996 for the Beavers.

“It would be huge for our wrestling program and huge for our athletic program to have a national champion,” said Mangrum, a past Junior Nationals champion in freestyle wrestling. “It’s been a really long time. For our wrestling program, it would bring our practice room up a notch. It would skyrocket our program to have a national champion.”

“Mike’s goal is to be on top of the medal stand,” Zalesky said. “I think he has the capability to make it all the way to the top.”

Mangrum said the Oregon State program has made noticeable gains since Zalesky took over in Corvallis. Zalesky coached Iowa to three NCAA team titles.

“Jim has probably forgotten more about wrestling than I will ever remember,” Mangrum said with a laugh. “He is so knowledgeable, and I really like his approach. I thought he was all business when I first came here, but he’s really funny and he will crack a few jokes at times. He’s really good at lightening the mood. He makes it fun.”

Mangrum said he believes the experience from the past two NCAA tournaments will prove beneficial when he steps on the mat for March’s NCAA Championships in St. Louis.

“I know what to expect now,” he said. “I wore down during my first two seasons, but I am doing everything better this year. I know I can beat anybody in the nation if I wrestle aggressively and keep attacking. This year, I’ve been able to open up more and put more points on the board. I need to keep shooting and keep pushing.”