Oct. 26, 2005
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - The Colonial Athletic Association wrestling coaches have announced their 2005-06 Preseason All-Freshman team, ODU's Chris Brown (Chesapeake, VA) and Ben Fiacco (Acworth, GA) are among the freshmen receiving the honor.
Brown was a two-time Virginia AAA state champion and a four-time state placewinner at Great Bridge High School where he went 50-2 his senior year and 176-18 overall. He was the no. 8 ranked recruit by Wrestling USA Magazine and sixth by Intermat. Brown is receiving All-Freshman honors in the 157-weight class.
Fiacco is one of several blue-chip recruits signed in 2005, a three-time Georgia state champion and four-time state placewinner, he was nationally ranked by Wrestling USA Magazine his last three years and was a two-time USA Wrestling All-American. He was a Cadet National Runner-up in 2003 and was a Junior Freestyle All-American in 2005. While attending Harrison High, he went 222-6 overall. Fiacco is receiving All-Freshman honors in the 165-weight class.
Six other freshmen received honorable mentions for the All-Freshman honor Braxdon Scaletta (125), Kaylen Baxter (141), Cam Watkins (141), Jeff Becker (149), Bryan Koz (174), and David Mendoza (197).
In addition, the 2005-06 CAA Preseason Individual Rankings have also been released. Junior Michael Martin (Chesapeake, VA) pulls the no.2 spot for the 133-weight class, senior Shanon Slack (Richmond, VA) receives fifth place for the 141-weight class, and senior Nelson "Robby" Gosnell (Warrenton, VA) takes the no. 4 spot at 165. Transfer graduate student TJ Hansen (Dallas, TX) is ranked fourth at 174 pounds, while senior and 2004 NCAA qualifier Adam Wright (Dayton, VA is second at 197 pounds.
2005-06 CAA Preseason All-Freshman Team
125: Steve Mytych - Drexel133: Cory Dunn - Sacred Heart141: Mitch Smith - Hofstra149: Michael Kessler - Rider157: Chris Brown - ODU165: Ben Fiacco - ODU 174: Alton Lucas - Hofstra184: Mike Pucillo - Hofstra197: Jason Cook - CampbellHwt.: Eddie Bordas - Binghamton