NORFOLK, Va. - Six members of the Old Dominion University wrestling team are ranked nationally in their weight class in the D1 College Wrestling rankings for 2013-14.
The highest ranked ODU wrestler is Chris Mecate (Highland, Calif.) who is number 12 at 141 pounds. Mecate, qualified for the NCAA Championships last year as a redshirt freshman as the 12th-seeded wrestler at 141 and won the opening round match. Mecate placed fourth at the Southern Scuffle and finished the season 37-9.
At 125 pounds Jerome Robinson (Toledo, Ohio) is ranked number 18. Robinson, who qualified for the NCAA Championships two years ago, finished last season 17-5, going 7-3 in dual meets. Robinson placed fifth at the Southern Scuffle.
Ranked 19th at 157 pounds is Tristan Warner (Mechanicsburg, Pa.). The redshirt junior did not compete last year due to injury and received a medical hardship. Two years ago Warner qualified for the NCAA Championships, went 27-16 on the year and finished second in the CAA Tournament.
Sophomore Alexander (Lenny) Richardson (Jersey City, N.J.) is ranked number 21 at 149 pounds. Richardson qualified for the NCAA Championships last year as a true freshman. He finished the season 29-15 and took second at the CAA Championships.
Two wrestlers returning from red-shirt years round out the Monarchs ranked wrestlers according to D1 College Wrestling.
In at number 22 is 184-pounder Jack Dechow (Richmond, Ill.), while ranked 22nd at 197 is Kevin Beazley (Howell, Mich.) During the 2012-13 season Dechow finished with a 34-12 record (while competing unattached) and took second at the National Collegiate Open. During the 2012-13 season Beazley went 33-13 (while competing unattached) and led the Monarchs in falls, racking up 15 throughout the season. Beazley finished the year tied for eighth in the nation for most pins.
ODU opens its season on the road at the Hokie Duals (matches begin at 9 a.m) in Salem, Va., on Nov. 10. The Monarchs, who no longer play in the Colonial Athletic Association, will face Iowa State in their home opener on Nov. 24 and Eastern Michigan in their MAC conference opener on Dec. 6.
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