Jan. 10, 2003

HAMPTON, VA (January 10, 2003) - The Old Dominion wrestling program will continue their tournament slate this weekend when they participate in the 23rd annual Virginia Duals.

The Monarchs (1-0) are fresh off their 23-17 victory at UNC-Greensboro in their first Dual of the season on Tuesday. They are now 4-0 lifetime against the Spartans.

ODU will wrestle in the American Division along with local rivals Apprentice School and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) power Maryland along with two of the top Division III programs in SUNY Brockport and Montclair State. Anderson College (SC), Grand Valley State (MI), and Cumberland College (KY) round out the division.

The Monarchs head into the weekend as the seventh ranked team in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with four wrestlers receiving conference rankings. Junior Derrell Lorthridge (Wilmington, DE) is second in the CAA at the 285 pound spot and freshman Adam Wright (Bridgewater, VA) is up to fourth at 184 pounds. Lorthridge and Wright lead the team with 10-3 records so far this year. Senior Ben Summerlin (Lynchburg, VA) carries a 8-1 record and a #5 ranking at 174 pounds while junior John Starkes (Chesapeake, VA) is sixth at 125 lbs. despite just returning from an injury. In his first match of the year Starkes earned a 10-6 win to seal the win for ODU against UNCG.

Old Dominion will begin competition at 1:00 p.m. in the quarterfinals with the semi-finals following at 3:00 p.m. The finals will take place on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m.