NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion Monarchs wrestling team returns to action this weekend with road duals at Binghamton University and the University of Buffalo. ODU takes on non-conference opponent Binghamton Friday for a 7 p.m. dual at West Gym, then head to Buffalo, N.Y., Saturday for a 7 p.m. match with the Bulls at the Alumni Arena.
The Monarchs (3-8, 0-2) return to competition after competing against the University of Virginia last Sunday. ODU return to Mid-American conference action against Buffalo on Saturday. ODU lost their only two conference meetings against Eastern Michigan (21-19) and Kent State (25-7) in early December.
ODU's Chris Mecate (R-So., Highland, Calif.,) is 19-5 this season and 8-3 in dual meets. Mecate is ranked No. 4 by Amateur Wrestling News, InterMat, WrestlingReport and D1CollegeWrestling. The 141-pounder is coming off a 3-1 decision win against then No. 14-ranked Joseph Spisak (UVA). Mecate has won five of his last six and nine of his last 11 matches.
Alexander Richardson (So., Jersey City, N.J.), Scott Festejo (Sr., Long Branch, N.J.) and Jack Dechow (R-Fr., Richmond, Ill.) also won their bouts against Virginia at 149, 133 and 184, respectively.
Including Mecate, ODU has six wrestlers ranked in the national polls this week. Brandon Jeske (Fr., Virginia Beach, Va.) is ranked as high as No. 28 at 125, Richardson is No. 20 in AWN at 149, Tristan Warner (R-Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa.) is No. 24 at 157, Dechow is No. 20 at 184, and Kevin Beazley (R-Fr., Howell, Mich.) comes in as high as 25th at 197.
ODU (3-8) vs. Binghamton Friday 7:00 p.m.
Series Record: ODU leads 4-3-1. First meeting came in 2003.
Previous Meeting: Jan. 25, 2013 - ODU defeated Binghamton 21-18 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Former Monarch wrestler Brett Miller earned a 4-3 decision win to give ODU the team victory.
Scouting Binghamton
Binghamton is 3-8 this season and is coming off a 22-18 win against Drexel. The Bearcats defeated George Mason 21-14, Brown 23-17 and took third at the New York State Championships in late November.
The Bearcats are led by junior David White (125), senior Cody Reed (197) and junior Tyler Deuel (285). White is 18-6 this season and 8-3 in dual matches. Reed is 18-8 and 8-3 in dual matches, while Deuel is 9-2 in duals and 20-5 overall this season.
ODU (3-8, 0-2 MAC) vs. Buffalo (2-10, 0-3 MAC) Saturday 7:00 p.m.
Series Record: ODU leads 2-1. First meeting came in 1971.
Previous Meeting: Feb. 17, 2002 - ODU defeated Buffalo 20-15 from Washington D.C. Former ODU wrestler Blake Romano delivered a 10-7 decision victory to lift the Monarchs.
Scouting Buffalo
Buffalo is 2-10 this season and has lost three straight dual matches. The Bulls last win came against Seton Hall (38-0) on Jan. 12. Buffalo also defeated Sacred Heart by a 37-6 team score earlier this year.
The Bulls are led by 125-pounder Max Soria who is 11-5 this season.
Binghamton Probables
125: David White (18-6)
133: Mike Sardo (5-12)
141: Nick Tighe (21-15)
149: Dylan Caruana (15-14)
157: Joe Bonaldi (11-5) or Colton Perry (6-17)
165: Vincent Grella (4-11)
174: Ben Price (2-8) or Jack McKeever (19-10)
184: Caleb Wallace (10-10)
197: Cody Reed (18-8)
285: Tyler Deuel (20-5)
Old Dominion Probables
125: Brandon Jeske (13-10)
133: Scott Festejo (3-7) or Michael Hayes (8-8)
141: #4/4 Chris Mecate (19-5)
149: #20/NR Alexander Richardson (17-6)
157: Tristan Warner (11-8)
165: Devin Geoghegan (9-11) or Dillon Geoghegan (3-9)
174: Billy Curling (8-7)
184: Jack Dechow (8-3)
197: Kevin Beazley (13-8)
285: Matt Tourdot (11-9)
Buffalo Probables
125: Max Soria (11-5)
133: Justin Farmer (9-16)
141: Nick Flannery (13-11)
149: Ryan Todora (5-14)
157: Wally Maziarz (11-10)
165: Tyler Rill (11-12)
174: Ryan Therrien (12-15)
184: Anthony Lock (14-10)
197: Angelo Malvestuto (15-9)
285: James Benjamin (6-16)
Rankings: AWN/InterMat
Old Dominion also travels to the Appalachian State Open in Boone, N.C. this Saturday, January 25.
Follow @ODUWrestling on Twitter and 'Like' us on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest ODU Wrestling news.