Jan. 16, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
NORFOLK, Va. -- The 21st ranked wrestling Monarchs head to Fairfax, Virginia and the campus of George Mason University for a trio of duals against Colonial Athletic Association opponents this Saturday at the CAA Duals. ODU will face Binghamton at 10:00 am, Drexel at Noon, and #18 Hofstra at 2:00 pm at the George Mason University Fieldhouse. The match against the Pride will mark the seventh dual against a nationally ranked team this season for Old Dominion.
ODU is 2-1 against Binghamton all-time, including a win last season at the CAA Duals. ODU trails the all-time series with Drexel, 5-8, but has three straight wins against the Dragons. The Pride boasts a 61 match unbeaten streak in the CAA and will be putting that on the line against Boston University, Rider, the Monarchs and Sacred Heart.
Old Dominion will lean on nationally ranked senior Ryan Williams (141) and sophomore James Nicholson (125) this weekend. Both have posted 23 wins this season and with a combined five losses between them, both have been ranked in the top ten. Williams is ranked seventh in the nation and Nicholson ninth.
ODU will also look to #16 Jesse Strawn (197) and #18 Kyle Hutter (133) to grab big wins as they will each face nationally ranked opponents on Saturday.
The Monarchs will see five nationally ranked individuals on the mat on Saturday at five different weights. Hutter will have the stiffest competition, facing #9 Lou Ruggirello (Hofstra) at 133 lbs. Two other Hofstra grapplers are nationally ranked in #11 Alton Lucas (174) and #20 Ryan Patrovich (165).
Binghamton boasts one nationally ranked wrestler, a top ten 184-pounder in Josh Patterson; rookie Joe Budi will face him first thing on Saturday morning. When the Monarchs face off against Drexel, Jesse Strawn will face #12 Jon Oplinger at 197 lbs.
Action begins at 10:00 am on Saturday at the GMU Fieldhouse.