ODU Wrestling Defeats Big Ten Foe Michigan State, 20-16

Win is just third for program history against Big Ten opponent

Nov. 9, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Monarchs wrestling program opened the 2007-08 campaign with a historical win Friday night. Old Dominion defeated Michigan State 20-16 and never trailed in the match as they improved to 1-0 on the season. ODU toppled a Big Ten opponent for just the third time in program history and for the first time since the 1990-91 season. Redshirt freshman James Nicholson (Des Moines, Iowa) had the biggest win of the night as he earned a technical fall in the 125-lb. weight class. ODU will remain at MSU for the weekend and wrestle in the MSU Open on Sunday.

"It's obviously a big win anytime you beat a Big Ten opponent," said head coach Steve Martin. "However, we could have wrestled better. We had the potential to win every match tonight."

The bout began at the 165-lb weight class, as 2006 wins leader Chris Brown (Chesapeake, Va.) won a 10-6 decision over Rex Kendle from Michigan State. The Monarchs would not look back, winning the first three to take a 9-0 lead. Nick Pullano and Jesse Strawn would follow Brown and win by decision in their matches for the early lead.

The Monarchs now face back-to-back tournaments in the midwest as they head into the MSU Open on Sunday and then into the Missouri Open next weekend.

Final Results:
Old Dominion, 20 def. Michigan State, 16
165: Chris Brown (ODU) def. Rex Kendle (MSU) 10-6 ODU leads 3-0
174: Nick Pullano (ODU) def. Jon Murphy (MSU) 8-6 OT ODU leads 6-0
184: Jesse Strawn (ODU) def. Nick Palmieri (MSU) 3-1 ODU leads 9-0
197: Joe Williams (MSU) def. #16 David Mendoza (ODU) MD 11-3 ODU leads 9-4
285: Alan O'Dennell (MSU) def. Roy Dragon (ODU) 3-2 ODU leads 9-7
125: James Nicholson (ODU) def. Joel Trombly (MSU) TF 21-5 ODU leads 14-7
133: Franklin Gomez (MSU) def. Kyle Hutter (ODU) 8-3 ODU leads 14-10
141: Ryan Williams (ODU) def. Jeff Wimberley (MSU) 4-2 ODU leads 17-10
149: Kaylen Baxter (ODU) def. Eddie Skowneski (MSU) 8-5 ODU leads 20-10
157: John Fulger (MSU) def. Dan Rivera (ODU) Fall 1:04 ODU leads 20-16


Richard D. Salyer