Jan. 24, 2013
NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion University wrestling team will face-off with CAA-foe, Binghamton University, this Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ted Constant Center.
Old Dominion is coming off a 3-0 day at the CAA Duals in Fairfax, Va. last weekend. ODU defeated Boston (23-6), Drexel (27-9) and Hofstra (19-12).
Four Monarchs went undefeated on the day for Old Dominion: (3-0), No. 13 (2-0), No. 30 (3-0) and (3-0). Mecate's second win came against Hofstra's No. 15 Luke Vaith. Last season, Vaith was the CAA champ and a NCAA qualifier at 141-pounds.
ODU also received key performances from: (2-1), (2-1), (2-1), (2-1) and (2-1).
The Monarchs currently have five nationally ranked wrestlers within their respective weight classes: No. 14 Jerome Robinson (125), No. 13 Chris Mecate (141), No. 30 Alexander Richardson (149), No. 25 John Nicholson (157) and No. 31 Billy Curling (174).
Old Dominion is currently 8-5 overall and 3-0 in CAA duals so far this season.
The Binghamton Bearcats have key dual wins over: Princeton, Boston, VMI, Drexel and George Mason. Despite those wins, Binghamton is only 5-9 in duals this season. The Bearcats have been impressive in the CAA thus far, winning 3 out of their four duals. Binghamton placed 14th out of 48 teams at the Midlands Championship on Dec. 29-30.
The Bearcats are led by their two nationally ranked wrestlers: No. 3 Donnie Vinson (149) and No. 5 Nate Schiedel (197).
Vinson is a redshirt senior, who has been a NCAA qualifier in his three previous seasons with Binghamton. Last year, Vinson became an All-American after placing third at the NCAA Championship. Vinson is currently 24-1 this season and 14-0 in dual matches.
Schniedel is also a redshirt senior and has been a NCAA qualifier in his three previous seasons. Schniedel is currently 18-2 overall and 11-0 in dual matches so far this season.
Binghamton's Probable Starters:
125 - Mike Sardo
133 - Derek Steeley
141 - Dan Riggi
149 - No. 3 Donnie Vinson
157 - Brian Conrad/Jack McKeever
165 - Vincent Grella
174 - John Paris/Caleb Wallace
184 - Cody Reed
197 - No. 5 Nate Scheidel
Hwt - Tyler Deuel
Be sure to follow the live blog provided by odusports.com throughout Friday's match.
Old Dominion will also be wrestling at the Ted Constant Center on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m., when they will host Rider.
Be sure to follow Old Dominion Wrestling on Twitter at twitter.com/ODUWrestling and find them on Facebook at facebook.com/OldDominionWrestling.