Dec. 26, 2007
NORFOLK, Va. -- The 24th ranked ODU wrestling team returns to the mat a final time in 2007 to the annual Southern Scuffle tournament at UNC Greensboro this weekend. ODU has not wrestled since the first of December where they had two placewinners at the Las Vegas Invitational. The tournament boasts seven nationally ranked teams of the 24 attending, including the defending national champion Golden Gophers of Minnesota. The tournament will take place Saturday and Sunday in Greensboro, N.C. with weigh-ins beginning at 8:00 am.
Nationally ranked teams in the 2007 Southern Scuffle field include #4 Minnesota, #14 Edinboro, #15 Hofstra, #17 Cornell, #21 Navy, #23 Maryland, and #24 Old Dominion.
ODU will look for solid appearances from #11-ranked 141-pounder Ryan Williams (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) and #17-ranked 165-pounder Chris Brown (Chesapeake, Va.). Williams has placed in all three tournaments he's been in this season. Brown toppled the top wrestler in the nation earlier this season and will look to place in his third tournament.
The Monarchs will also look to #20 Kaylen Baxter (149), David Mendoza (197) and Jesse Strawn (184) to make runs at the title in their respective weight classes. Baxter leads the team in wins with 16, Mendoza leads the team in technical falls with three and Strawn is tied for the team lead in major decisions with Brown with six.
For more information on the tournament, go to www.uncgspartans.com. Fans can sign up for Spartan All-Access to watch all the action live from the tournament. Also, live stat updates are available throughout the tournament at www.SouthernScuffle.com.