ODU wrestle-off determines starters for season

By Kate Tedesco The Mace & Crown

September 10, 2007

Norfolk, VA (CSTV U-WIRE) -- Sunday, Oct. 29, the Monarch Wrestling Team had its first opportunity on the mat this season. At 12:30 p.m. in the Athletic Administrative Building, the Annual Blue-Silver Intersquad Match was held.

The purpose of this match was to see which Monarchs would participate in the tournaments for the upcoming season; three won by major decision.

The small gym was packed with family members, pillars of the community and young prospective wrestlers.

There was a blue mat in the center with chairs circling it for spectators to view the matches.Throughout the match, parents and coaches yelled out tips and pointers for the wrestlers to employ.

There were very impressive matches from all of the weight classes.

First up was freshman Kyle Hutter, who defeated fellow freshman James Nicholson 12-4 in the 125-lb weight class.Nicholson also wrestled Christian Staylor, a transfer from Arizona State University. Staylor defeated Nicholson 9-2.

Nicholson is under a lot of pressure this season, having been named to the conference's pre-season All-Freshman Team.

Sophomore Ryan Williams defeated both of his opponents in the 141-lb weight class.Williams beat Cam Watkins in the last match of the day with a score of 6-2. Earlier, Williams won against Mike Martin, 6-0.In the 149-lb weight class, freshman Joey Metzler defeated RS freshman Kaylen Baxter with a score of 8-5.Baxter then defeated RS junior Josh Tyler, 9-3.

In a very competitive match for the 157-lb weight class, RS freshman Chris Brown defeated freshman Jeff Jacobs, 20-4, winning by major decision.Derek Coffey and Brian Koz wrestled in what was the most intense match of the day.

Koz eventually reigned victorious after three overtimes, with a score of 5-3.Both Coffey and Koz will compete in the 174-lb weight class this season.

With the season underway, the Monarch wrestling team is bound to bring many victories home for the school.

The next match up is Friday, Nov. 10 at Purdue.The team doesn't come back home until Dec. 8, when they will play CAA rival George Mason University.