Feb. 6, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
NORFOLK, Va. -- ODU plays host to the Virginia Cavaliers this Sunday at 5:30 pm at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Virginia has won two of the last three matches with a tough loss to #13 Virginia Tech last weekend. The Monarchs are ranked 18th in the country according to the USA Today/NWCA/InterMat poll with four nationally ranked individuals. Senior Ryan Williams and sophomore James Nicholson lead the way, ranked in the Top Ten and each posting 28 wins so far this season.
Nicholson and Williams lead the way in the top ten, while Chris Brown and Jesse Strawn are all ranked nationally by at least six polls. Kyle Hutter is also ranked by a pair of polls after falling out of the major rankings for the first time since early in his sophomore year.
UVa is ranked 30th according to wrestlingreport.com's tournament scoring with three nationally ranked wrestlers. The Cavs were nationally ranked for the first half of the season and were receiving votes until the January 13th poll.
UVa is coming off a loss to conference rival Virginia Tech, ranked 13th in the country. Virginia holds a 20-18 advantage in the all-time series against the Monarchs, though ODU has won two in a row, including a win at a neutral site last year. Old Dominion won 23-12 at the Virginia Duals.
Virginia is led by sophomore 174-pounder Chris Henrich, ranked 9th by the USA Today/NWCA/InterMat poll. ODU's Eric Decker is coming off a close 2-1 loss to #8 Mike Miller (CMU) and will face his second straight Top Ten wrestler when he matches up against Henrich. The two matched up at the Cleveland State Open and Decker narrowly lost that match, 1-0. The Cavalier has only one loss this season.
UVa has two more nationally ranked wrestlers in 141-pounder Nick Nelson, 17th, and 197-pounder Brent Jones, 19th. Both will have to face the Monarchs nationally ranked wrestlers at their weight, Ryan Williams and Jesse Strawn respectively.
The match is set to begin at 5:30 pm, immediately following the women's basketball game with tip set for 2:00 pm. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for discounted tickets (children, seniors, military, and ODU faculty/staff). Old Dominion students are admitted free with a valid ID. Free admission will also be granted to fans who attended the women's basketball game at 2:00 pm.
NOTE: If women's basketball fans leave the arena, they will be required to exchange their ticket for a wrestling ticket at the box office. Admission will still be free, but re-entry to the arena will require a new ticket.