Nov. 28, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. -- This weekend, the #20/24 Monarchs head to the Northeast Duals in Troy, New York to take on a trio of tough opponents. ODU is slated to start the day against the Harvard Crimson, who has flirted with the Top 25 all season, then take on #5 Missouri and finish out the day against Bloomsburg.
The meet will include the third dual in five against a nationally ranked opponent, as Old Dominion matched up against #7 Oklahoma State and #18 Oklahoma last weekend.
Schedule:
9:15-11:00: vs. (RV) Harvard
11:00-12:45: vs. #5 Missouri
3:15-5:15: vs. Bloomsburg
Monarchs Nationally Ranked:
As a team, the Monarchs have held onto their national ranking, listed as the 20th best team by InterMat and the 24th according to W.I.N.
Four individuals are nationally ranked, led by defending All-American James Nicholson, ranked 4th in the nation. He defeated a pair of nationally ranked opponents last weekend. Senior Ryan Williams (141) jumped to 10th with his performance, going 7-0 to start the season. Also ranked are Kyle Hutter, 11th at 133 lbs, and Chris Brown is 13th at 165 lbs.
NWCA All-Star Classic:
Monarch grappler James Nicholson is coming off an appearance at the 43rd Annual NWCA All-Star Classic. He wrestled Charlie Falck (Iowa), the third nationally ranked opponent in as many days and dropped a 6-2 decision in the exhibition.
About Harvard
The Crimson will be opening their dual season against the Monarchs this Saturday. The team has been at least receiving votes in all the polls and was ranked 25th once earlier this season. J.P. O'Connor leads the way, ranked 4th at 157 lbs after a big-time upset of the former #1 Jordan Leen (Cornell), and Louis Caputo is also ranked 4th at 184 lbs. Cory Jantzen is also ranked for Harvard, coming in at 20th at 141 lbs.
The Crimson had three finalists and to champs at the Binghamton/Brute Open earlier this season and have not competed in a dual yet. This will just be the second matchup all-time against the Monarchs, with ODU taking the first, 24-16, in 1987.
About Missouri
Missouri is one of the top teams in the country, ranked #5 overall. The team is 3-0 on the season with dual victories against Lock Haven, Bucknell and #17 Hofstra. The Tigers have five wrestlers ranked in the top ten, led by three ranked 4th in their weight class. Nick Marable is 4th at 165 lbs, Raymond Jordan is 4th at 174 lbs and Mark Ellis is a senior heavyweight coming in at 4th as well. Max Askren, at 197 lbs, ranked 6th and Mike Chandler, at 157 lbs, ranks 7th.
The Tigers had seven individul titles at the Missouri Open last weekend and have posted three dual victories this season. This will be the seventh matchup against Old Dominion, with Missouri remaining unbeaten, 5-0-1.
About Bloomsburg
The Huskies have opened the season with a loss to Pittsburgh and also posted a pair of second place finishes at the Cornell Body Bar last weekend. Bloomsburg boasts just one nationally ranked individual, but he is the 11th best 157-pounder. Matt Moley is a junior and has gone 8-2 to open the season.
Bloomsburg has a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series against Old Dominion.