Dec. 9, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. -- Redshirt sophomore James Nicholson (Des Moines, Iowa/Theodore Roosevelt) was named the Co-Wrestler of the Month by the Colonial Athletic Association today, for all wrestling up until December 8. The Monarch grappler shares the award with five other deserving wrestlers throughout the league. Nicholson, ranked fourth in the nation, has started the season 9-0 with three wins against Top 20 competition.
The Monarchs 125-pounder has not lost yet this season, with a title at the Hokie Open and a perfect 5-0 dual record including three wins against Top 20 competition. His biggest win came against #5 Obenson Blanc (Oklahoma State) in the first dual of the season.
The other five honored this month were Cayle Byers (George Mason), Chris Davis (Sacred Heart), Jon Oplinger (Drexel), Josh Patterson (Binghamton) and Lou Ruggirello (Hofstra).
The Monarchs are still the top ranked team in the conference, according to the CAA rankings with all ten grapplers ranking in the top six. Nicholson is joined by senior Ryan Williams (141) and Chris Brown (165) as the top-ranked wrestler at their weight classes for the Monarchs. Kyle Hutter (133), Joey Metzler (149), and Eric Decker (174) all rank second in the conference.
Jesse Strawn (197) and Brown both entered the InterMat rankings for the first time this season, both ranking 20th in the nation. The pair join Nicholson (4th), Williams (10th) and Hutter (13th) in the national coaches poll.
ODU has another week off before taking the mats at home against #24 Northern Iowa next Saturday, December 20. The match will begin at 3:00 pm EST at the Ted Constant Center.