Dec. 5, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. -- The #21 ODU wrestling Monarchs (2-3) are training in an off week as the team prepares to host #22 Northern Iowa in the home opener on Saturday, December 20 at 3:00 pm. Please note there has been a time change for the dual, with the event now beginning at 3:00 pm EST at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. In other wrestling news this week, the Monarchs hauled in the 9th best early recruiting class according to W.I.N. Magazine and four Monarchs are nationally ranked in the Top 20.
#21 ODU vs. #22 UNI
There has been a time change to the home opener for the Monarchs this season, as they will play host to the Panthers of UNI at 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 20. The game will be immediately preceding a men's basketball game against Winthrop.
UNI will open their dual schedule this weekend, as they host #1 Iowa and travel to #11 Wisconsin. The Panthers posted eight top five finishes at the Kaufman-Brand Open and have participated in three other tournaments to start the season.
The dual will begin at 3:00 pm at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on the campus of ODU. Tickets will be $6 for adults, $5 for children, seniors, ODU faculty/staff and active military. Students with valid ID are admitted free.
ODU Individuals Nationally Ranked
Sophomore 125-pounder leads the pack for ODU right now, ranked fourth nationally by both InterMat and Amateur Wrestling News and no lower than fifth in the nation. Kyle Hutter, at 133 lbs, is ranked 13th by InterMat and Ryan Williams, at 141 lbs, is ranked as high as 8th in the nation, by AWN. After upsetting the nation's #1 wrestler, Chris Brown has moved up to 10th in the nation according to W.I.N. Magazine.
Tune In!
Senior Ryan Williams will be the halftime radio guest during the men's basketball game this Saturday, December 6. The game is set to air at 4:00 pm on 94.1 FM.
Early Recruiting Class Ranks
W.I.N. Magazine released their early recruiting class rankings this week, with the Monarchs listed as hauling another top ten group of newcomers. The Monarchs have signed NLI's to John Nicholson (Des Moines, Iowa), Joey Sheridan (Tulsa, Okla.), Jack Burbank (Virginia Beach, Va.), Eric Dunnet (Voorhees, N.J.) and Justin LaValle (Apple Valley, Minn.).
Nicholson was ranked #2 in the junior class rankings by InterMat, Sheridan fourth, and Burbank ninth. Sheridan and Nicholson were also listed in the All-Class rankings. All five are big-time recruits for head coach Steve Martin, as LaValle is the number one ranked wrestler in Minnesota and Dunnet is a three-time state placewinner in New Jersey.
For a full rundown of the recruiting class rankings, click here.
1. Oklahoma State
2. Nebraska
3. Oklahoma
4. Virginia
5. Virginia Tech
6. Minnesota
7. Wisconsin
8. Iowa
9. Old Dominion
10. Cornell
11. Michigan
12. Northern Iowa
13. Ohio State
14. Wyoming
15. Iowa State
16. Missouri
17. Indiana
18. West Virginia
19. Lehigh
20. Bucknell
21. Columbia
22. Navy
23. Tennessee-Chattanooga
24. Edinboro
25. Clarion