NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion wrestling team announced the addition of two more wrestlers for the 2016-17 campaign this week, as Steve Martin will welcome Jacob Curling from Chesapeake, Virginia and Abner Romero from Clovis, California to the program for next season.
"We are extremely pleased and excited to have Jacob Curling and Abner Romero joining our 2016 incoming freshman class," Steve Martin said. "Both guys really fit the mold of our program, as they do the right things on and off the mat and are focused on graduating with a college degree and competing for national titles."
Jacob Curling, the younger brother of two-time NCAA Qualifier and 2014 ODU graduate Billy Curling, claimed the 2016 Virginia 6A state championship at 138 lbs. in February while representing Great Bridge High School. Curling also finished as the Virginia state runner-up in his junior season. Just two weeks ago, he turned in a 5-2 record at the 2016 NHSCA Senior National Championships and fell just one victory shy of becoming a High School All-American. Curling will project at 141 or 149 for the Monarchs.
Martin on Curling: "We are excited to have another Curling join our program. Jacob has a strong work ethic and will make an impact in our middleweights. He comes from a wrestling bloodline. His father was my workout partner in high school back in the day, and his brother Billy was a multiple-time NCAA qualifier for Old Dominion. Jacob is probably a little ahead of the game in terms of technique at this stage compared to his brother, as Billy was more of a brawler. Jacob really fits the mold of our program; he has very high goals and expectations for himself."
Abner Romero will come to ODU hailing from Buchanan High School in Clovis, California. Romero was a 2016 California state runner-up at 160 lbs. and claimed the 2016 NHSCA Senior National Championship title two weeks ago at 170 lbs. A three-time state qualifier and two-time placewinner, Romero is ranked No. 14 at 160 lbs. and No. 66 overall for the class of 2016 by InterMat. He played a major role in propelling Buchanan High School to a California state title, as the Bears were ranked as the fifth-best high school team in the country by InterMat and FloWrestling.
Martin on Romero: "In the upperweights, Abner Romero will be joining us next year from Buchanan High School, a team that won their first California state title this season. Abner is good in all three positions and knows how to win close matches, which makes him a great fit for college wrestling. Any time you get a kid from California, you know they are used to wrestling in front of huge crowds so they are already mentally prepared to excel at a high level. We are very excited to have him join our program!"
Complete 2016-17 ODU Wrestling Incoming Class
- Jacob Curling, Chesapeake, Va. (Great Bridge) - 141/149
- Abner Romero, Clovis, Calif. (Buchanan) - 174
- Israel Saavedra, Modesto, Calif. (Modesto) - 149
- Kevin Budock, Olney, Md. (Good Counsel) - 141/149
- Antonio Agee, Alexandria, Va. (Hayfield) - 184
- Ali Wahab, Dearborn, Mich. (Crestwood) - 285
- Chris Mauriello, Hauppauge, N.Y. (Hauppauge) - 157
- Connor Frey, Lehighton, Pa. (Lehighton) - 184
- Will Hilliard, Phoenix, N.Y. (Wyoming Seminary) - 285
- Dean Drugac, Hibernia, N.J. (Morris Knolls) - 184
- Luke Drugac, Hibernia, N.J. (Morris Knolls) - 174
- Will Verallis, Windsor Locks, Conn. (Wyoming Seminary) - 157
- Connor Wallace, Chesapeake, Va. (Hickory) - 133
For the full release on ODU's fall recruiting class, click here.