NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion wrestling team (4-9, 0-4 MAC) returns home Friday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. to host Navy (9-1, 3-1 EIWA) at the Ted Constant Center before traveling to Athens, Ohio to battle the No. 23 Ohio Bobcats (9-3, 4-3 MAC) at noon on Sunday, Feb. 7. Friday night's match against Navy is Military Appreciation Day, and a prematch social will begin at 6 p.m. in the Big Blue Room.
The Monarchs are looking to bounce back after suffering a 29-6 loss against fifth-ranked Missouri last weekend on the road. ODU received wins from Jack Dechow, who picked up his fifth major decision victory of the year at 184, and Austin Coburn, who bumped up from 197 to defeat James Romero at 285.
In the tournament team rankings this week the Monarchs are tied for 19th by InterMat and are tied for 20th according to WIN Magazine. Brandon Jeske remains as high as No. 19 by WIN Magazine, Emilio Saavedra is No. 11 by InterMat, Chris Mecate is No. 10 according to The Open Mat, Alexander Richardson is as high as No. 7 by The Open Mat and WIN Magazine and Jack Dechow is up to No. 3 by The Open Mat.
The Navy Midshipmen (9-1, 3-1 EIWA) have won back-to-back dual meets over Maryland and American and are coming off a second place finish out of eight participating schools at the All-Academy Championships last weekend. Sophomore Zack Davis claimed the 133 lb. individual title after upsetting Air Force’s No. 19 Josh Martinez, and No. 15 Mathew Miller earned the 174 lb. crown for the Midshipmen, pinning his opponent in the finals in just over a minute.
The No. 23 Ohio Bobcats (9-3, 4-3 MAC) have won four straight dual meets heading into Sunday’s conference showdown. Most recently, Ohio outlasted Northern Iowa, 18-17, last Sunday in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Bobcats are led by All-American Cody Walters, who is ranked ninth by InterMat at 174, senior Phil Wellington, who is No. 13 by InterMat at 197 and true freshman Cameron Kelly, who comes in at No. 14 by InterMat at 133.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Old Dominion Monarchs (4-9, 0-4 MAC)
125: Jr. Brandon Jeske (12-7)
133: So. Josh Markham (8-11) or Fr. Brandon James (16-10)
141: #13 RSr. Chris Mecate (14-5)
149: #8 Sr. Alexander Richardson (15-4)
157: RSr. Devin Geoghegan (9-9) or RSo. Austin Eads (11-11)
165: Fr. Seldon Wright (14-12)
174: So. Brooks Climmons (6-12)
184: #5 RJr. Jack Dechow (11-1)
197: RSr. Austin Coburn (6-14)
285: Fr. Andrew Snyder (2-13)
Navy Midshipmen (9-1, 3-1 EIWA)
125: So. Brant Leadbeter (14-17)
133: So. Zack Davis (20-13)
141: Fr. Nicholas Gil (21-10)
149: So. Corey Wilding (20-11)
157: So. Drew Daniels (11-9)
165: Sr. John Keck (14-14)
174: #19 So. Jadaen Bernstein (28-9)
184: #15 Sr. Mathew Miller (24-6)
197: Sr. Michael Woulfe (24-10)
285: So. Nick Mabry (8-16)
Ohio Bobcats (9-3, 4-3 MAC)
125: Fr. Shakur Laney (18-8)
133: #14 Fr. Cameron Kelly (18-5)
141: RSo. Noah Forrider (13-9)
149: RSo. Cullen Cummings (8-8)
157: RSr. Spartak Chino (18-8)
165: RFr. Austin Reese (16-8)
174: #9 RSr. Cody Walters (19-3)
184: RSr. Andrew Romanchik (14-5)
197: #13 RSr. Phil Wellington (21-4)
285: So. Jesse Webb (8-14)
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Fans will receive a $1 discount with a Military ID at the gate on Friday night, and all are encouraged to attend the prematch social beginning at 6 p.m. in the Big Blue Room.
COVERAGE
Friday’s match against Navy can be viewed with a Monarch Media subscription ($9.99 per month) here. Tristan Warner and Tim Wentz will provide the play-by-play and color commentary.
NEXT UP
The Monarchs will host a double-header at the Ted Constant Center next Sunday, Feb. 14 against Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. and American at 3 p.m.
VOUCHER BOOKS
Take advantage of the great offer to attend ODU wrestling matches through the ODU Wrestling Season Ticket Voucher Book available online here. Voucher books can also be purchased at the gate prior to any home event. Each voucher book contains 12 vouchers. These vouchers are good for any regular season ODU home wrestling match during the 2015-2016 season.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For an in-depth look to everything Monarchs Wrestling, make sure to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter (@ODUWrestling) using the hashtag #ManeFocus and on YouTube and ODUsports.com.