Wrestling Completes Dual Schedule at Old Dominion

Eastern Michigan (7-7, 2-5 MAC) vs Old Dominion (5-10, 0-5 MAC)
Date	Sunday, Feb. 14 \| Noon
Location	Norfolk, Va. \| Ted Constant Center
Game Notes	PDF Notes
Twitter	@EMUWrestling
Live Results	Track Wrestling
Live Stream	ODUSports.com

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com)– The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team wraps up its 2015-16 dual schedule with a road contest against Old Dominion University. The bout with the Monarchs is set to begin at Noon, Sunday Feb. 14.

   The dual can be followed live on our Twitter page, @EMUWrestling. Results can also be found at TrackWrestling.com. A paid livestream can be found at odusports.com.

ALL-TIME VS. OLD DOMINION: Sunday marks just the third meeting between the two programs since ODU joined the Mid-American Conference in 2014. Eastern took the first meeting in 2014, 21-19, while ODU got revenge in last year's matchup, 25-13.

LAST TIME WE MET: Eastern Michigan suffered a conference loss to the No. 21 Monarchs of Old Dominion University, 25-13.

The Eagles grabbed three bout victories, including true freshman Kayne MacCallum earning his first conference win donning the Green and White. Old Dominion secured seven wins, including three extra-point victories on the night. Vincent Pizzuto also earned a major decision for EMU.

RETURN TO NORFOLK: Sunday also marks a return to the state of Virginia for EMU assistant coach Luke Smith. The fifth-year assistant for the Eagles spent 2009-11 as a volunteer assistant coach for the Monarchs.

SCOUTING THE MONARCHS: Despite coming into the season nationally ranked, the Monarchs have fallen on hard times in 2015-16. Their record currently sits at 5-10, including going winless (0-5) in MAC duals. ODU holds wins over San Francisco State, Cal Poly, Navy, Campbell and Rider. Their losses in conference have come to Northern Iowa, Buffalo, Kent State, Missouri and Ohio.

   Individually however, ODU has some strong competitors, with five grapplers ranked in the NCAA Coaches Panel top-33. Brandon Jeske (No. 32, 125 lbs.), Emilio Saavedra (No. 15, 133 lbs.), Chris Mecate (No. 12, 141 lbs.), Alexander Richardson (No. 8, 149 lbs.), and Jack Dechow (No. 13, 184 lbs.).

FIVE WRESTLERS RANKED BY NCAA: In the first of four NCAA Coaches Panel rankings, four EMU grapplers found themselves in the top-33. Nicholas Barber (No. 24, 149 lbs.), Jacob Davis (No. 32, 174 lbs.), Anthony Abro (No. 21, 197 lbs.) and Gage Hutchison (No. 28, 285 lbs.) were all ranked in the poll released Jan. 21. The Coaches Panel is one of three measurements used to determine qualifying spots in the NCAA Tournament in March, along with winning percentage and ratings percentage index (RPI).

   In the RPI, EMU also has four wrestlers ranked. Kyle Springer (No. 24, 141 lbs.), Barber (26th), Davis (33rd) and Abro (27th).

NEXT UP: With the dual schedule coming to a close, EMU now awaits the MAC Championships March 5-6. The tournament will take place at the Convocation Center for the first time 2009.

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Players Mentioned

Anthony Abro

Nick Barber

Jacob Davis

Gage Hutchison

Kayne MacCallum

Vincent Pizzuto

Kyle Springer

Eastern Michigan Athletics