NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion wrestling team (1-3, 1-2 MAC) is set to host the 10th-ranked NC State Wolfpack (3-1, 0-0 ACC) Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Ted Constant Center. The dual meet will feature nine wrestlers ranked in the top 20 by InterMat, including battles of top-20 competitors at 184 and 197.
The Monarchs, back in action after a three-week hiatus, enter Tuesday's match coming off a 22-9 conference win at Northern Illinois on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Picking up wins for ODU were Alex Madrigal, Emilio Saavedra, Seldon Wright, Antonio Agee, Jack Dechow, Kevin Beazley and Will Hilliard. Highlighting the evening was Beazley's 3-2 triumph over top-10 foe Shawn Scott at 197.
Veterans Dechow and Beazley lead the Monarchs in wins with eight apiece on the year so far, while Madrigal, a redshirt freshman, has already racked up seven. Saavedra, Austin Eads, and Wright have each recorded six wins on the season. Beazley has already tallied three victories over top-20 foes while Wright has two under his belt.
No. 10 NC State journeys to Norfolk Tuesday with a 3-1 record on the year after posting wins against UNC Pembroke, Air Force and Appalachian State. The Wolfpack's lone loss came at the hands of top-10 ranked Nebraska, 22-10, on Dec. 9.
NC State's starting lineup boasts five wrestlers ranked in the top 20, as the Wolfpack is led by All-American Kevin Jack at 141 and NCAA qualifiers Sean Fausz at 133, Sam Speno at 149 and Mike Boykin at 285.
The last time these two teams met, despite a five-five split in matches won, bonus points propelled NC State to a 26-15 victory over the Monarchs on Dec. 17, 2015, at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.
Probable Starters
Old Dominion (1-3, 1-2 MAC) vs. #10 NC State (3-1, 0-0 ACC)
125: #20 Brandon Jeske (0-0)/Steven Simpson (1-6) vs. Tommy Cox (6-4)/Wade Cummings (11-1)
133: Alex Madrigal (7-3) vs. Sean Fausz (13-2)
141: Emilio Saavedra (6-3)/Kenan Carter (3-5) vs. #5 Kevin Jack (14-1)
149: Michael Hayes (1-6) vs. #14 Sam Speno (11-3)
157: Austin Eads (6-3)/Shane Jones (4-6) vs. Thomas Bullard (7-3)
165: No. 15 Seldon Wright (6-3) vs. Brian Hamann (9-3)
174: Antonio Agee (3-6) vs. Nick Reenan (12-3)
184: No. 11 Jack Dechow (8-2) vs. No. 17 Michael Machiavello (10-1)
197: No. 10 Kevin Beazley (8-1) vs. No. 16 Malik McDonald (9-4)
285: Will Hilliard (5-3) vs. Mike Boykin (11-4)/Mike Kosoy (6-4)
Coverage
Fans who can't make it out to the Ted can watch the Monarch Media live stream ($) here.
High School Appreciation Night
High school wrestlers will be admitted into Tuesday's match for free with submission of a team roster. All high school coaches wishing to bring a team to the match can send rosters to Associate Head Coach Mike Dixon at mjdixon@odu.edu.
Game Day Professor Recognition
The Monarchs will honor Professor Katie Iacono Thompson at the intermission as a part of ODU's Game Day Professor Recognition initiative. Professor Thompson received her MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban in London, England and her MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland. Her thesis performance entitled Tie Shopping with My Father focused on her love of dance and the sport of wrestling. Her father, Rick Iacono, who is accompanying her at the match was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015.
Social Media
Follow @ODUWrestling on Twitter and 'like' Old Dominion Wrestling on Facebook for live match updates and recaps.