Nov. 18, 2005
NORFOLK, VA - Six Old Dominion Wrestling Monarchs travel to the University of Missouri this weekend to compete in the Missouri Open. The tournament showcases competition from many Big Ten schools such as Purdue, Illinois and Indiana, as well as some Big Twelve schools like Missouri, and Oklahoma.
"We are excited to return to Missouri to compete against some of the best competition in the nation," assistant coach Lee Pritts comments.
Bryan LaShomb (Chesapeake, VA), who went 2-1 at the Avalon Duals last weekend beating opponents from Maryland and Slippery Rock, is set to wrestle at 125 in the freshman/sophomore division.
Also competing for Old Dominion in open division at 133 is Michael Martin (Chesapeake, VA), who went 2-1 last weekend at the Avalon Duals winning both matches by fall. Senior Shanon Slack (Richmond, VA) will compete at 141, Chesapeake native Nick Pullano will wrestle 157, and senior Nelson Gosnell (Warrenton, VA) will wrestle 165, all in open division.
Senior Adam Wright (Dayton, VA) will be the final Monarch to Compete in open division wrestling at 197, after going an impressive 3-0 at last weekend's dual meet beating his Maryland competitor by tech fall, Slippery Rock's by fall, and Edinboro's Jim Gibson by a 6-5 decision.
This is Old Dominion's second consecutive year entering the Missouri Open, last year Gosnell and Wright both placed in the event. Gosnell took fourth at 165, while Wright captured second at 184 pounds.
Also this weekend, five Monarchs will be representing Old Dominion in the East Stroudsburg Open. One of the oldest wrestling tournaments in the country, the 39th annual ESU Open will be held Saturday at the Koehler Field house with one of the most competitive fields in the history of the event, including seven teams ranked in the preseason top 25.
The wrestlers competing for Old Dominion include Ryan Williams (Cumberland, PA) at 133, Josh Tyler (Mechanicsville, VA) at 149, Bryan Lenhardt (Gloucester, VA) at 174, and Kevin Harrington (E. Greenbush, NY) at 184. Senior John Dolida (Bridgewater, NJ) will enter the heavyweight class of the tournament after falling Slippery Rock's Matt Burkholder last weekend at the Avalon Duals.