Feb. 18, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU Monarchs, ranked in the Top 20 will face the 14th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies in the final home match of the year on Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 pm. It will be the first ever match against a pair of Top 20 teams at the Constant Center as the Hokies travel into Norfolk. ODU holds a 21-9 all-time lead in the series, but it will be the first time the two have ever matched up while both are nationally ranked. Both won their conference regular season title last weekend with perfect 5-0 campaigns in the ACC and Colonial.

ODU is 15-6 overall and 5-0 in the CAA, while Virginia Tech is 20-1 overall and 5-0 in the ACC. Tech hasn't lost since they faced #4 Nebraska last month on a neutral mat and is 2-0 against nationally ranked programs this season. ODU is 2-6 this season against ranked teams.

Scouting The Hokies:
Virginia Tech boasts three nationally ranked kids that will provide big matchups at The Ted this week. #14 Jarrod Garnett at 125 lbs will face #5 James Nicholson and #17 Chris Diaz will wrestle ODU's #6 Ryan Williams. Also nationally ranked for the Hokies is 157-pounder Jesse Dong.

The match will be pretty even all the way through, as all ten of the Hokie starters have 20+ wins while the Monarchs have been tested against nationally ranked programs more this season. #10 Chris Brown for the Monarchs will face RS Sophomore Matt Epperly, who he wrestled often in high school.

Event Info:
The Monarchs will be hosting a $250 spirit match for on-campus organizations as well as a special "Fan of the Match" promotion. Admission is free for all students with a valid ID and is $6 for adults, $5 for discount (seniors, children, military and faculty/staff). The doors will open one hour before the match, at 6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Constant Center box office and more information can be found on odusports.com or by calling 757.683.4444.

Probable Starters:
#20 Old Dominion University
125: #5 James Nicholson (RSo.; Des Moines, Iowa)
133: Kyle Hutter (Jr.; Mokena, Ill.)
141: #6 Ryan Williams (Sr.; Mechanicsburg, Pa.)
149: Joey Metzler (RSo.; Dayton, Va.)
157: Kaylen Baxter (Jr.; Fairbanks, Alaska)
165: #10 Chris Brown (RJr.; Chesapeake, Va.)
174: Eric Decker (Jr.; Wells Bridge, N.Y.)
184: Joe Budi (Fr.; Appleton, Wisc.)
197: #16 Jesse Strawn (Jr.; Holton, Kansas)
285: Roy Dragon III (So.; Bridgewater, N.J.)

#14 Virginia Tech University
125: #14 Jarrod Garnett (Fr.; Newark, Del.)
133: Will Livingston (RSo.; Newton, N.J.) OR Brock LiVorio (Fr.; Irwin, Pa.)
141: #17 Chris Diaz (So.; Camden, Del.)
149: Pete Yates (Fr.; Conyers, Ga.)
157: #19 Jesse Dong (Fr.; Westerville, Ohio)
165: Matt Epperly (RSo.; Christiansburg, Va.)
174: Anthony Trongone (RFr.; Glendora, N.J.)
184: Tommy Spellman (So.; Newton, N.J.)
197: D.J. Bruce (So.; Naperville, Ill.)
285: David Marone (So.; Broomfield, Colo.)