Pete Rose Named to Virginia College All-State Team
2008 Virginia SID - All-State Wrestling Team Announced.....
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 Freshman and Wrestler of the Year honors, while Monarch head coach Steve Martin was tabbed VaSID Coach of the Year.
The VaSID team was selected from 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. Pete Rose of Southern Virginia, who won the NCWA national championship at 157 pounds, was the only Crusader to be named to the VaSID All-State wrestling team, and the first NCWA wrestler to ever be named to the first team.
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 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.
2008 VaSID All-State Wrestling Team
First Team
125 James Nicholson, Old Dominion - NCAA DI
133 Kyle Hutter, Old Dominion - NCAA DI
141 Tim Harner, Liberty - NCAA DI
149 Kaylen Baxter, Old Dominion - NCAA DI
157 Peter Rose, Southern Virginia - NCWA
165 Chris Brown, Old Dominion - NCAA DI
174 Chris Henrich, Virginia - NCAA DI
184 Rocco Caponi, Virginia - NCAA DI
197 Cayle Byers, George Mason - NCAA DII
285 Patrick Walker, Liberty - NCAA DI
Second Team
125 Ross Gitomer, Virginia
133 Eric Albright, Virginia
141 Ryan Williams, Old Dominion
149 Shawn Harris, Virginia
157 Frankie McLaughlin, George Mason
165 Chad Porter, Liberty
174 Aaron Kelley, Liberty
184 Jesse Strawn, Old Dominion
197 Brent Jones, Virginia
285 Josh Wine, VMI
Freshman of the Year – James Nicholson, Old Dominion
Wrestler of the Year – James Nicholson, Old Dominion
Coach of the Year – Steve Martin, Old Dominion
