Oct. 9, 2007
NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU wrestling team was picked to finish third in the CAA in the conference pre-season rankings. Nine Monarchs are ranked in the ten weight classes and two ODU newcomers were named to the preseason All-Freshman Team. NCAA Qualifier David Mendoza is at the top of the league rankings at 197 lbs and Chris Brown is leading the league in his new weight class, 165 lbs.
ODU is behind Rider (43 points) and Hofstra (40 points) in the pre-season rankings. The Monarchs are followed by Drexel, Binghamton, Boston University, George Mason, Sacred Heart and Campbell in that order.
Brown and Mendoza are the highest ranked Monarch grapplers, and are also nationally ranked this preseason. Mendoza is ranked 16th in the Amateur Wrestling News (AWN) preseason rankings and 19th by W.I.N. Magazine, while Brown is at 19th (AWN) in his new weight class.
James Nicholson ranks third in the 125 lb weight class, as do Ryan Williams (141), Kaylen Baxter (149), and Jesse Strawn (184) in their respective weight classes. Senior Nick Pullano is ranked fourth in his new weight class at 174 lbs and sophomore Kyle Hutter also ranks fourth in his new weight class at 133 lbs.
Freshman Roy Dragon is ranked 6th in the conference at the heavyweight slot and was also named to the 2007-08 Preseason All-Freshman Team. He is joined on the team by Derek Peperas at the 165 lb slot.
The Monarchs kick off their 2007-08 campaign with the Blue-White Intrasquad match on October 28. The teams first dual is against Michigan State on November 9.
CAA Wrestling Preseason Rankings
TeamRankings Points CAA Ranked Wrestlers1. Rider University 43 102. Hofstra University 40 93. Old Dominion University 35 94. Drexel University 25 75. Binghamton University 21 56. Boston University 17 77. George Mason University 16 88. Sacred Heart University 10 49. Campbell University 3 1
1251. Dave Tomasette, Hofstra (#7-AWN/#11-W.I.N.)2. Steve Mytych, Drexel (#15-AWN/#20-W.I.N.)3. James Nicholson, ODU4. Tommy Lorenzo, Rider5. Brian Wright, GMU6. Fred Santaite, BU
1331. Lou Ruggirello, Hofstra (#8-AWN/#8-W.I.N.)2. Zac Cunliffe, Rider3. Billy Martin, Drexel4. Kyle Hutter, ODU5. Paul Galipeau, SHU6. Will Powars & Joe Coughlin, GMU
1411. Charles Griffin, Hofstra (#2-AWN/#2-W.I.N.)2. Don Fisch, Rider (#4-AWN/#4-W.I.N.)3. Ryan Williams, ODU4. Joey Whitaker, BU5. Cory Dunn, SHU6. Dave Gilio, Drexel
1491. Mike Roberts, BU (#17-AWN)2. Kyle Fried, Binghamton3. Kaylen Baxter, ODU4. Mitch Smith, Hofstra (#16-AWN/#20-W.I.N.)5. Chris Davis, SHU6. Aaron Nestor, Rider
1571. Ryan Hlushak, Drexel (#7-AWN/#6-W.I.N.)2. Jon Bonilla-Bowman, Hofstra (#20-AWN)3. Rob Morrison, Rider4. Nate Patterson, Binghamton5. Mike Cubillos, BU6. Frankie McLaughlin, GMU
1651. Chris Brown, ODU (#19-AWN)2. Billy Haydt, Drexel3. Jason Lapham, Rider4. Ryan Patrovich, Hofstra5. Tyler Tisdell, GMU6. AJ Detwiler, BU
1741. Josh Patterson, Binghamton (#19-AWN)2. Mike Miller, Rider3. Alton Lucas, Hofstra (#18-AWN/#10-W.I.N.)4. Nick Pullano, ODU5. Randy Oates, GMU6. Alex Brown, BU
1841. Joe Rovelli, Hofstra (#12-AWN/#16-W.I.N.)2. Doug Umbehauer, Rider (#13-AWN/#9 W.I.N.)3. Jesse Strawn, ODU4. Ryan Malo, BU5. Justin Wieller, Drexel6. Bill Widener, GMU
1971. David Mendoza, ODU (#16-AWN/#19-W.I.N.)2. TJ Morrison, Rider (#14-AWN/#11-W.I.N.)3. Kevin Fox, SHU4. Corey Waite, Binghamton5. Cayle Byers, GMU6. Jeff Siciliano, Hofstra
HWT1. Eddie Bordas, Rider2. Harry Zander, GMU3. Mike Patterson, Binghamton4. Jeremiah Fennell, Campbell5. Bryant Deinhardt, Drexel6. Roy Dragon, ODU
2007-08 All-Freshman Team
125: Fred Santaite, BU133: Alex Cournoyer, BU141: Justin Accordino, Hofstra149: PJ Gillespie, Hofstra157: Justin Lister, Binghamton165: Derek Peperas, ODU174: Justin Danz, Hofstra184: Justin Wieller, Drexel197: Cayle Byers, GMUHWT: Roy Dragon, ODU