FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Fladderjohn, Virginia
(4-3) 982-5131

July 11, 2008
 
 
First Ever VaSID All-State Wrestling Team Announced
ODU's Nicholson Sweeps Rookie & Wrestler of Year Honors

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Old Dominion swept the major honors in the 2008 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State Wrestling Team, the first-ever all-state wrestling squad announced by VaSID.  James Nicholson, a 125-pounder for ODU, earned Rookie and Wrestler of the Year honors, while Monarch head coach Steve Martin was tabbed VaSID Coach of the Year.

2008 VaSID All-State Wrestling Team

The VaSID team was selected from the nine wrestling programs across the state, including six from Division I. Old Dominion led all schools with four first-team selections, while the Monarchs and Virginia each had six overall picks. The Cavaliers had first-team selections Chris Henrich (174) and Rocco Caponi (184) as well as four second-team honorees. Liberty also racked up two first-team and two second-team selections.

Nicholson was an All-American this season after taking eighth place at the NCAA Championships. He was one of just five freshmen to earn All-America honors this season and became the first Monarch since 1995 to nab All-America laurels. He is joined by teammates Kyle Hutter (133), Kaylen Baxter (149) and Chris Brown (165) on the first team.

The VaSID team also features Southern Virginia’s Peter Rose, who won the NCWA national championship at 157 pounds. 2008 NCAA Championships competitors Tim Harner of Liberty (141), Henrich (174), Caponi (184), Cayle Byers of George Mason (197) and Patrick Walker of Liberty (285) also comprised the first team.

All-State teams are selected by active members of the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association.  For more information, please visit the VaSID site at http://www.ferrum.edu/athletics/vasid.