The Monarchs (12-8) faced a 10-0 deficit after the first three matches and then reeled off four straight victories and five wins in the final seven bouts to hold off the Chippewas (12-6) for their first ever win against Central Michigan in four attempts.
Starting at 125 pounds, redshirt freshman Jerome Robinson hung tough for ODU but could not overtake No. 17 Joe Roth as CMU won, 4-1. Tyler Keselring then held off a late charge by sophomore Scott Festejo at 133 pounds with a 9-7 win. Wrestling in just his third collegiate dual, true freshman Taylor Moeder lost via major decision at 141 pounds to CMU's Scott Mattingly to give the Chippewas the 10-0 quick lead.
Redshirt junior Brennan Brumley, a native of Center Line, Mich., turned things around for ODU at 149 pounds as he earned a late takedown of Joey Kielbasa for a 4-1 win. Redshirt sophomore No. 23 John Nicholson then won his 12th consecutive match when earned a thrilling 5-3 decision over CMU's Donnie Corby at 157 pounds.
In what proved to be the marquee match of the day and a critical win for the Monarchs, sophomore #26 Tristan Warner's third period takedown and near fall proved to be the match-winner over #24 Mike Ottinger in a 5-2 win. Senior #12 Te Edwards then put Old Dominion in front in the match at 174 pounds when he pinned Ryan Quinn at the 5:14 mark.
At 184 pounds, redshirt sophomore Billy Curling had his hands full with No. 5 Ben Bennett who earned an 8-0 major decision to pull the Chippewas within one point of the team lead at 15-14. Senior Joe Budi would double up Chad Friend at 197 pounds, 6-3 to bump the Monarch lead back up.
With No. 17 Peter Sturgeon for Central Michigan looming at heavyweight, redshirt junior Grant Chapman went to work for the Monarchs. Needing a major decision to tie and a tech fall or pin for a team win, Sturgeon pushed Chapman but the Monarch gave up just an escape point in the final period and a riding time point to the Chippewas' nationally ranked big man to seal the win for Old Dominion, 18-17.
The Monarchs will honor seniors Joe Budi and Te Edwards in their final home dual of the season on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. when they host North Carolina State at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The ODU All-Decade Team will be honored at intermission as well.
Head Coach Steve Martin invites all fans, friends, faculty/staff and students to come out and support the team. A pre-match social will begin at 6 p.m. in the Big Blue Room with complimentary beverages and a highlight video of the season. RSVP by Feb. 8 at ODUSports.com/events and enter code: WR0209 or call 757.683.3359.
If you can't make the pre-match social, bring a canned food item or a coat and get in to the match for $1. All proceeds will go to the Salvation Army. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for youth and all ODU students get in for free.
Results:
125: #17 Joe Roth (CMU) dec. Jerome Robinson (ODU), 4-1
133: Tyler Keselring (CMU) dec. Scott Festejo (ODU), 9-7
141: Scott Mattingly (CMU) major dec. Taylor Moeder (ODU), 9-1
149: Brennan Brumley (ODU) dec. Joey Kielbasa (CMU), 4-1
157: #23 John Nicholson (ODU) dec. Donnie Corby (CMU), 5-3
165: #26 Tristan Warner (ODU) dec. #24 Mike Ottinger (CMU), 5-2
174: #12 Te Edwards (ODU) fall Ryan Quinn (CMU), 5:14
184: #5 Ben Bennett (CMU) major dec. Billy Curling (ODU), 8-0
197: Joe Budi (ODU) dec. Chad Friend (CMU), 6-3
285: #17 Peter Sturgeon (CMU) dec. Grant Chapman (ODU, 2-0
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