ODU Asst. Mike Dixon Talks to Takedown of Monarchs Emergence in Top 25

NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University wrestling team earned their first national ranking in nearly two years on Tuesday as they came in at No. 25 in this week’s NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll.

The Monarchs (7-6) were last ranked on Feb. 17, 2010 when they came in at No. 24. Old Dominion is led this year by No. 17 Te Edwards (174), who is 13-3 along with John Nicholson (157), who is 15-5, Tristan Warner (165), who is 19-9 and Justin LaValle (141), who is 21-11.

ODU went 3-2 last week and defeated their second top-20 opponent of the season when they routed then No.18 Rutgers, 29-9, at the 32^nd annual Virginia Duals en route to a fourth place finish. Old Dominion also defeated then No.18 Iowa State, 21-16, on Nov. 20 in Norfolk.

The Monarchs have also wrestled four teams this season currently ranked in the top-25 in No. 7 Ohio State, No. 16 Kent State, No. 21 Edinboro and faced No. 24 Rutgers on Dec. 2 in Piscataway, N.J in the two teams’ first meeting.

Still on the slate for this season are duals against five teams currently ranked in No. 19 Central Michigan (Feb. 5), No. 20 Binghamton (Feb, 17), No. 22 Virginia (Feb. 19), No. 23 Virginia Tech (Jan. 29) and will face No. 25 (tie) Hofstra this weekend at the CAA Duals in Fairfax, Va.

Scott Casber
Founder/Host
Takedown Wrestling Radio and TV
USA Wrestling Weekly
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