NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion head wrestling coach Steve Martin announced the addition of three student-athletes to the Monarch wrestling program for the 2017-18 campaign on Wednesday. Bradley Beaulieu (South Berwick, Maine/Marshwood), Brandon Ramos (Plainfield, Ill./Lockport) and Jake DiBenedetto (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) will join the Monarchs next season.
"We are extremely pleased and excited to have Bradley Beaulieu, Brandon Ramos and Jake DiBenedetto joining our 2017 incoming class," Martin said. "All three of these guys fit the mold of our program, doing the right things on and off the mat and performing well in the classroom. They are focused on graduating with a college degree and competing for national titles."
Bradley Beaulieu, who hails from Marshwood High School in South Berwick, Maine, projects as a 133 or 141-pounder for the Monarchs. Ranked No. 20 in the nation by FloWrestling, Beaulieu finished as the runner-up at the 2017 NHSCA Senior National Championships last month in Virginia Beach, becoming a four-time NHSCA All-American. The all-time wins leader in the state of Maine with a career record of 246-15, he captured four state titles and one New England title in his senior campaign.
Martin on Beaulieu: "We are excited to get Bradley Beaulieu on campus with us in the fall. He has proven himself multiple times on the national level, being a four-time NHSCA All-American and a national finalist in the senior division this year. In addition to being a very good wrestler, he is also a very good student, which is exactly what we are looking for for this program. He will compete at 133 or 141 for us."
Brandon Ramos will join the Monarchs next season from Lockport High School in Plainfield, Illinois. Projecting as a 141-pounder, Ramos was a four-time Illinois 3A state qualifier and two-time Folkstyle Nationals All-American. In his senior campaign, he racked up a 41-9 record, going 2-2 at the state tournament with one of those losses coming to the No. 12 wrestler in the country. Ramos also placed fifth at the 2015 Powerade tournament, one of the nation's premier high school events.
Martin on Ramos: "Brandon Ramos comes from Lockport High School, which is traditionally one of the powerhouse teams in the state of Illinois. He is the definition of a true student-athlete, as he is good both on the mat and in his academics. It is great any time we can get kids from a state like Illinois because they have been exposed to high level competition throughout their whole careers. Brandon will most likely project as a 141-pounder for us next year."
Jake DiBenedetto, hailing from Lincoln-Way West High School in Mokena, Illinois, projects as a 149-pounder for ODU. A two-time Illinois 3A state qualifier and three-time All-Conference selection, DiBenedetto claimed All-American honors at the 2014 USA Wrestling Preseason Folkstyle Nationals and the 2016 Postseason Folkstyle Nationals at the University of Northern Iowa. He racked up a career record of 125-31 in high school.
Martin on DiBenedetto: "We see Jake DiBenedetto as being a 141 or 149-pounder for us. He has tons of potential and is long, lanky and rangy and is a very good scrambler. Just like with Ramos, we love to get kids from Illinois. Jake has competed and proven himself against the top competition in the country. We look forward to seeing him do great things academically and athletically for us."
Complete 2017-18 ODU Wrestling Incoming Class
- Bradley Beaulieu, South Berwick, Maine (Marshwood) - 133/141
- Noah Bushman, Bent Mountain, Va. (Cave Spring) - 184/197
- Killian Cardinale, Bristow, Va. (Brentsville District) - 125
- Jake DiBenedetto, Mokena, Ill. (Lincoln-Way West) - 141/149
- Cade Hepner, Avon, Ohio (St. Edward) - 149/157
- Trevon Majette, Chesapeake, Va. (Oscar Smith) - 125/133
- Michael McGee, Bolingbrook, Ill. (Plainfield East) - 125/133
- Brandon Ramos, Plainfield, Ill. (Lockport) - 141
- George Walton III, Somerset, N.J. (Bound Brook) - 174/184
- Mason Wohltman, Orlando, Fla. (Lake Highland Prep) - 141/149
For the full release of ODU's fall recruiting class, click here.