Nov. 22, 2006
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NORFOLK, VA -- The Monarchs of Old Dominion continue to challenge themselves with one of the toughest schedules in the nation this weekend as they head to the Mat Town USA Open. ODU has already faced off against several ranked teams and many ranked individuals as they head into the open format in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Three more ranked teams and a possiblity of 26 or more ranked wrestlers are in the field this weekend.
Highway to Mat Town USA
The Monarchs of Old Dominion roll right into another tough tournament in 2006-07 as they head to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania to face off at the Mat Town USA Open. Three teams already registered for the open are ranked nationally. Penn State (8th), Edinboro (13th), and West Virginia (24th) will all be in attendance in addition to tough wrestlers from Lock Haven and Buffalo. Mat Town is just another step in Martin's tough schedule for 2006.
Nationally Ranked
Christian Staylor was ranked 18th in the pre-season polls for the 125-pound weight class. Chris Brown and Ryan Williams join Staylor in the national rankings at 20th by Amateur Wrestling News. ODU has an immensely growing program including the number eight-ranked (W.I.N. Magazine) recruiting class.
Rockin' Rookies
Head Coach Steve Martin has called upon his inexperienced grapplers early and many are answering to that call. The Monarchs continue to test themselves early with one of the toughest schedules in collegiate wrestling. Two of the top ten teams in the country and three in the top 25 were in attendance along with several other perennial powerhouses. The Monarchs threw a roster full of freshman at the field and got significant results.
True freshmen Adam Koballa and Jesse Strawn both placed for the second time of the early season. Koballa had the best performance for ODU with a third place effort including a rematch against Army's William Simpson that found Koballa dominate with a 16-5 major decision. Strawn added another tournament placing to his young career when he finished sixth in the 184-pound weight class.
Red shirt freshman Chris Brown also placed for the second time this season in the 157-pound weight class taking third at the Body Bar. Brown is 8-3 so far this season.
Probable Starters for ODU
125 - Kyle Hutter
133 - Adam Koballa / B.J. Compton
141 - Ryan Williams
149 - Kaylen Baxter / Joey Metzler
157 - Chris Brown
165 - Nick Pullano
174 - Derek Coffey / Bryan Koz
184 - Jesse Strawn
197 - David Mendoza
Hwt. - Matt Pellar