Oct. 8, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. -- After finishing 17-3/6-1 last season, the Monarchs wrestling team was ranked first in the league in the preseason poll released earlier today. With 41 points, ODU ranks ahead of Rider (36) and seven-time defending CAA champion Hofstra (33) for the top spot. Six Monarch grapplers are ranked #1 or #2 in their respective weight classes, including returning All-American James Nicholson as the top ranked 125-pounder.
Head coach Steve Martin will lead nine CAA ranked wrestlers this season, including six returning starters. Nicholson, Ryan Williams (141) and Chris Brown (165) were all listed as the top grapplers in the league at their weight, while Kyle Hutter (133), Kaylen Baxter (149), and transfer Eric Decker (174) came in at second in the rankings.
The upper weights were also ranked, as rookie Joe Budi came in fourth at 184 lbs, junior Jesse Strawn is fifth at 197 lbs and Roy Dragon is listed as the fourth best heavyweight.
The team returns three conference champs and two runner-ups from the 2008 tournament, and will boast seven national qualifiers in the lineup this year.
2008-09 CAA Preseason Rankings (October 7, 2008):
1. Old Dominion University (41)
2. Rider University (36)
3. Hofstra University (33)
4. Drexel University (26)
5. Boston University (23)
6. George Mason University (21)
7. Binghamton University (16)
7. Sacred Heart University (16)
125
1. James Nicholson, ODU
2. Steve Mytych, Drexel
3. Brian Wright, Mason
4. Paul Galipeau, SH
5. Jimmy Kirchner, Rider
5. Fred Santaite, BU
133
1. Lou Ruggirello, Hofstra
2. Kyle Hutter, ODU
3. Corey Dunn, SH
4. Denny Herndon, Mason
5. Filiberto Colon, Rider
6. Michael Gomez, Drexel
141
1. Ryan Williams, ODU
2. Anwar Goeres, Binghamton
3. Chris Davis, SH
4. Justin Accordino, Hofstra
4. Joey Rivera, Boston
5. Fred Rodgers, Rider
6. Abby Rush, BU
149
1. Mike Roberts, BU
2. Kaylen Baxter, ODU
3. Brandon Bucher, Mason
4. Anthony Priore, SH
5. Nick Weaver, Rider
6. PJ Gillespie, Hofstra
157
1. Jon Bonilla-Bowman, Hofstra
2. Mike Kessler, Rider
3. Nate Patterson, Binghamton
4. Carlo Ferrandino, BU
5. Frankie McLaughlin, Mason
6. Billy Haydt, Drexel
165
1. Chris Brown, ODU
2. Ryan Patrovich, Hofstra
3. Jason Lapham, Rider
4. Scott Hunter, Drexel
5. CJ Inglin, BU
6. Ryan McGarity, Binghamton
174
1. Alton Lucas, Hofstra
2. Eric Decker, ODU
3. Mike Ward, Rider
4. Hunter Meys, BU
5. Shawn Fausey, Drexel
6. Bagna Tovuujav, Mason
184
1. Doug Umbehauer, Rider
2. Josh Petterson, Binghamton
3. Justin Wieller, Drexel
4. Joe Budi, ODU
5. Ben Clymer, Hofstra
6. Dan Kennedy, BU
6. Bill Widener, Mason
197
1. Cayle Byers, Mason
2. Jon Oplinger, Drexel
3. Joe Fagiano, Hofstra
4. Mike Miller, Rider
5. Jesse Strawn, ODU
6. John Hall, BU
Hwt
1. Eddie Bordas, Rider
2. Bryant Deinhardt, Drexel
3. Jim Connors, BU
4. Roy Dragon, ODU
5. Bill Beiermeister, SH
6. Art Garvey, Binghamton