Sept. 5, 2008

NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU wrestling team earned its first preseason ranking earlier this week, coming in at 22nd according to Wrestling International Newsmagazine (W.I.N.). Four Monarch grapplers are ranked in the poll, including All-American James Nicholson ranked fourth in the nation at 125 lbs. Old Dominion is coming off one of the best seasons in program history, going 17-3 in duals and qualifying a record six wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament.

Nicholson ranks higher than ever before, at fourth in the nation at 125 lbs after his performance in the NCAA Tournament just six months ago. The redshirt sophomore finished his first year with 35 wins and an eighth place finish at the NCAA Tournament. He was named the CAA Rookie of the Year and VaSID All-State Wrestler and Rookie of the Year.

Redshirt junior Chris Brown joins him as a top ten wrestler at 165 lbs, ranked 9th in the nation in the preseason by W.I.N. Brown is already among the ODU career leaders in wins with 70 in his first two years.

The other two Monarch grapplers ranked in the preseason are senior Ryan Williams, coming in at 20th nationally at 141 lbs and junior Kyle Hutter, ranked 15th at 133 lbs. Williams is just two wins shy of 100 for his career and is a two-time NCAA Qualifier. Hutter is a rising junior who qualified for his first NCAA Tournament last season after a 33 win season.

VaSID and CAA Coach of the Year Steve Martin will lead the Monarchs in his fifth year with high hopes again in 2008-09. He returns seven national qualifiers and hauled in another top ten recruiting class, for the third time in four years. The team will open the season in late October with their annual Blue/Silver Intersquad.

For the full rankings, click here.