Feb. 13, 2009
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NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU Monarchs, ranked in the Top 20, hit the road to face Rider in the final CAA match of the year. ODU could wrap up the CAA regular season title with a win over the Broncs, who are 6-6 overall and 3-1 in the CAA this season. The two teams matched up at the Virginia Duals earlier this season and ODU posted a 25-12 win, extending the unbeaten streak against the Broncs to six matches. The dual is set to begin at 2:00 pm.
ODU is 14-6 overall and 4-0 in the CAA. Rider has won three of its last four, including a one-point win over Clarion and double-digit victories over conference foes Drexel and Binghamton. Old Dominion is coming off a thrilling win against Virginia, who ranked as high as 21st this year. ODU will be the fourth nationally ranked team Rider faces this season.
Rider is the third ranked team in the Colonial Athletic Association rankings, boasting 10 ranked wrestlers in the league. The team is led by fifth year senior, 184-pounder Doug Umbehauer, ranked #6 in the nation. Umbehauer is 14-3 this season with a forfeit victory against the Monarchs earlier this season. Umbehauer will likely wrestle ODU rookie Joe Budi at 184.
Another big matchup will come at 157 lbs, as Mike Kessler, ranked #2 in the CAA will face Kaylen Baxter for the second time this year. At the Virginia Duals, Kessler won a narrow 3-2 decision against the Monarch grappler. Eddie Bordas, at heavyweight, is the top ranked big man in the league, squaring off against ODU's Roy Dragon III, listed as the number two 285-pounder. Bordas won 4-2 at the Duals.
The Monarchs top ten wrestlers, James Nicholson (#6 at 125 lbs) and Ryan Williams (#7 at 141 lbs), will be searching for their 30th wins of the season in the dual against Rider. Both are ranked #1 in the league and disposed of their opponent in the dual against Rider earlier this season by major decision.
The match is set to start at 2:00 pm on Valentine's Day in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.