James Nicholson was one of just seven Old Dominion wrestlers to earn onto the podium at the end of multiple NCAA Wrestling Championships, earning All-American Status in 2008 and again in his final season with ODU in 2011 to become the first two-time All-American the program had seen since Buddy Lee in 1982. The 125-pounder ended his career with 138 total victories, a mark that is still tied for the most wins in Monarch wrestling history. Nicholson, a four-time NCAA Qualifier, was also named the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Athlete of the Year in 2011 and was a four-time CAA Tournament Champion at 125 pounds. He was also named an NWCA All-Academic wrestler in 2011 and was named first team VaSID All-State four times, including winning VaSID Freshman and Wrestler of the Year in 2008. Nicholson graduated in 2011 with a degree in business management and was inducted into the Old Dominion Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.