Odu Wrestling Monarch Matcast | Mat Talk Podcast Network

Illinois native and MAC Freshman of the Year Michael McGree joins the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast to talk about the success during his true freshman season on the mats in Norfolk. McGee was a conference champion and NCAA qualifier at 125 pounds and was also an NWCA Division I All-Academic selection. He'll talk about the unique pronunciation of his first name and its origins, why he chose Old Dominion and what it's been like jumping right into the lineup. We'll also give Monarch Nation some info about the Takedown Golf Tournament coming up May 4 at Sewell's Point Golf Course. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE great wrestling co

Associate head coach Mike Dixon returns to the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast with a recap of the MAC Championships and the 2018 NCAA Division I Championships. The four-year streak of All-Americans came to an end, but all four Monarchs who competed at the NCAA championships will be back next season as the team graduates just one starter. We'll dive into the recruiting chatter as the NHSCA nationals are coming to Virginia Beach at the end of March and what the dropping of Eastern Michigan's wrestling program (among other sports) means for ODU and the landscape of wrestling around the country. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE grea

Old Dominion University played its first competitive football game in over 50 years in August of 2009. In 10 seasons, coach Bobby Wilder's team became an instant force in FCS competition before a call from Conference USA and FBS football became a reality. Part of that reality is Monarch football players now competing in the NFL. Rick Lovato was the first to play in the NFL after he was picked up by the Green Bay Packers a few seasons ago as a long snapper, but Lovato, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, is the first Monarch to play in the Super Bowl. On Opening Night of Super Bowl 52 Media Week, Jason Bryant of Mat Talk Online and Andy Hamilton of Trackwrestling got a chance to talk with Rick about being a long snapper, his career as a wrestler growing up, what he loved about ODU and his relations to the ODU wrestling program. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive a

On Episode 47 of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast, we'll catch up with head wrestling coach Steve Martin about the action over the holiday break, the win over Eastern Michigan and the forecast for the upcoming Virginia Duals. We'll then have a chance to meet and introduce Monarch Nation to assistant wrestling coach Daryl Thomas, who joined the staff in the offseason. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team member. You'll get some cool stuff too. Looking to start a podcast of your own? Get a free month with Libsyn by using the promo code MTO when you sign up. You'll get the remainder

Episode 46 of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast reviews the first month of the season with Associate Head Coach Mike Dixon. The Monarch wrestling program is off to a 2-3 start with wins over Gardner-Webb and Northern Illinois, the most recent win coming on December 19 at The Ted. Coach Dixon talks about the start of the season and the decision to wrestle two of the nation's top programs -- Missouri and NC State -- on the road on the same weekend and what the team learned from the experience. We head toward the Midlands and Lock Haven Classic and Dixon will explain who's going to wrestle where over the holiday break. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scrat

Jeff Rusak was recently induced into the Old Dominion Sports Hall of Fame. The Pennsylvania native and now Virginia Beach firefighter was a four-time NCAA qualifier, a two-time conference champion and one of the most prolific pinners in ODU wrestling history. On Episode 45 of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast, Rusak talks about his career, his journey to Old Dominion, some of the wacky roommates over the years and meeting his wife, former ODU women's soccer player Melissa Futrell Rusak. While never an All-American, Rusak was one of former coach Gray Simons' top wrestlers. He finished third at the Midlands as a senior and was the No. 5 seed at the 2002 NCAA Division I Championships. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels

The Old Dominion wrestling program announced its 2017-18 schedule earlier this week and on Episode 44 of the ODU Monarch Matcast, we'll talk with Associate Head Coach Mike Dixon about it. The Monarch wrestling program will first have a Monarch Day of Giving on October 6 where the staff and team is looking for 200 gifts of any denomination to contribute towards the program. Coach Dixon breaks down the schedule as a slew of events around the region and in Norfolk highlight what will be a young and exciting team this coming season. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team member. You'll get some

Associate Head Coach Mike Dixon joins the Monarch Matcast on the floor of the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota at the USA Wrestling Cadet and Junior Nationals. Fargo, as the tournament has simply been known, is one of the most fertile recruiting grounds and coaches from all divisions are flocking to the Fargodome to recruit. We'll talk with coach Dixon about recruiting, the staff change over and what to expect from Monarch wrestling in 2017-2018. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team member. You'll get some cool stuff too. Looking to start a podcast of your own? Get a free month with Libsy

Associate Head Coach Mike Dixon recaps the MAC Championships and NCAA Division I Championships on Episode 42 of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast. Redshirt junior Kevin Beazley earned the program's 18th Division I All-American honor by placing eighth at 197 pounds. The placement gave the Monarchs an All-American for the fourth straight year and ties a school record for consecutive years producing at least one All-American. Coach Dixon looks at the individual performances of the five Monarchs who competed in St. Louis and also gives us an update on the ODU Wrestling Takedown Club golf tournament set for May 5 at Sewell's Point Golf Course in Norfolk. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership.

Episode 41 of the ODU Monarch Matcast previews the upcoming Mid-American Conference championships to be held at the University of Northern Iowa on March 4-5. Jason Bryant breaks down the weight-by-weight prospectus on the chances of each Monarch wrestler in making the 2017 NCAA Division I Championships. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team member. You'll get some cool stuff too. Looking to start a podcast of your own? Get a free month with Libsyn by using the promo code MTO when you sign up. You'll get the remainder of the month from when you sign up as well as the next month

Mike Dixon catches back up with us on Episode 40 of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast from the road as he's out recruiting for the incoming class. The Monarchs close out the regular season with a February 19 dual at the Ted Constant Convocation Center with a 1 p.m. dual with Kent State. The wrestling program will honor three seniors -- Kevin Johnson, Mikey Hayes and Jack Dechow. Coach Dixon talks about what each person has meant to the program and how the Monarch wrestling program as a whole is better for their representation in the program. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team

Episode 39 of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast visits with Stafford native and Monarch senior Mikey Hayes. A graduate of powerful Colonial Forge High School, Hayes came to ODU as a walk-on after placing three times at the Group AAA state championships, but failing to win a state championship. A career that started spanning multiple weight classes, Hayes moved up to 149 pounds and has found himself in a position at the NCAA championships this season. While there's still a lot of wrestling to go this year, Hayes has registered a handful of wins over nationally ranked wrestlers. What's been the key to his improvement? And what does he know about Life cereal and the Fabulous Freebirds? SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the di

From the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Virginia, Episode 38 of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast features former Monarch wrestler and current booster Bill Calley. Calley has been a longtime supporter of the program since his career ended in the early 1980s. He's a local official and has seen a number of coaches come through and the impact the program has had on high school wrestling locally. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team member. You'll get some cool stuff too. Looking to start a podcast of your own? Get a free month with Libsyn by using the promo code MTO when you sign up.

After five years with the Old Dominion wrestling team as a competitor, Tristan Warner has stayed close to the program, but in a more official capacity. As ODU football is set to play in its first bowl game, Warner visits the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast to talk about his time in the school's Sports Information Office, working as a graduate assistant. The world of the SID is typically fraught with long hours, little appreciation and even less pay, but for Warner, it's been a great opportunity for him to get experience in a number of sports prior to moving into the "real world." Recently, Warner served as a sideline reporter for the American Sports Network during Old Dominion's win over Southern Miss in football. Warner will explain that experience, how he's leaning on retired SID Carol Hudson for advice and how he's trying to work the PA at The Ted for wrestling duals. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App

Episode 36 of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast circles back with redshirt junior Kevin Beazley. The Michigan native is back on the mats at ODU after taking an Olympic redshirt to train in Greco-Roman wrestling. An injury cut short his journey towards Rio, but he's back in Norfolk looking to earn All-American honors for the first time. Beazley explains the process of redshirting (again) for an Olympic year, what life was like at the Olympic Training Center and what the experience was like for him during his rehab. He'll also share what the relationship is like with All-American Jack Dechow and what the more seasoned members of the team are looking towards with the youth in the program. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the

Alumni weekend is coming as Old Dominion will host fifth-ranked Missouri on November 13 at 1 p.m at The Ted. The Monarchs are building this weekend around the dual and the football team's home game against Southern Miss. The football Monarchs are bowl-eligible for the first time in school history and the excitement around the game along with the wrestling program should make for a great weekend. On our second episode of Season 3, the Monarch Matcast talks to Mike Dixon, Associate Head Coach, about the weekend at the Southeast Open, the matchup with Missouri and his beloved Chicago Cubs. We also welcome a new staff member to the program, Josh Demas. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership.

Episode 34 of the Old Dominion Wrestling Monarch Matcast visits with one of the true legends in wrestling, former coach Gray Simons. As a wrestler, Simons was one of the greatest. A four-time NAIA champion and three-time NCAA champion at Lock Haven, he also made two Olympic teams. A Norfolk native who wrestled at Granby High School under legendary coach Billy Martin, Simons was recently inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame. Simons, an inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, coached college wrestling for 36 years with the last 17 coming closer to home at Old Dominion. Coach Simons talks about getting into wrestling, going to Lock Haven, the demise of wrestling in the SEC as he coached at Tennessee and finishing his career at ODU. At 77, he still teaches a class or two and recently celebrated his 51st wedding anniversary with his wife Mary. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN

We kick off the third season of the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast with head wrestling coach Steve Martin. Coach Martin runs down some of the summer time activities and already starts to eye the first official home date of the season, the November 13 dual against national powerhouse and MAC champion Missouri. The Monarchs return NCAA qualifiers Brandon Jeske and Jack Dechow as well as get the services of Kevin Beazley, who was an NCAA qualifier two years ago and redshirted last season training in Greco-Roman in preparation to try to make the U.S. Olympic Team. Alumni weekend is coming up on November 13 as the Monarchs host Missouri, but it's also packaged around the November 12 home football game against Southern Miss. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various lev

Episode 32 of the Old Dominion Wrestling Monarch Matcast catches up with 2009 NCAA finalist Ryan Williams. Currently employed by wrestling-friendly Mythics in Virginia Beach, Williams recaps the rise to the NCAA finals his senior season after coming out of Cumberland Valley High School in Pennsylvania with some unfinished business. Williams recalls the chance meeting from a friend's father and ODU coach Steve Martin in Hershey, Pa., that led to his recruitment and improving rapidly during his four seasons. Williams became just the second Division I finalist in school history, following Jody Staylor in 1994. He chronicles his career, the ups, the downs, the key wins and how the pieces fell together and being part of the foundation of what Old Dominion wrestling is today. Battles with Chad Mendes, Drew Lashaway, J Jaggers and 2016 Olympian Frank Molinaro are all discussed. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TE

Episode 31 of the Old Dominion Wrestling Monarch Matcast talks with two-time All-American Chris Mecate, the 2016 Old Dominion Alumni Association Male Athlete of the Year. The California native became the first wrestler in Old Dominion's Division I history to become a back-to-back All-American and just the third wrestler in the program's history at the Division I level to be a two-time All-American. Mecate recently graduated and was also named the NWCA's All-Academic team earlier this week. What's next for Chris? What's his favorite funny Steve Martin story? Find out on the ODU Wrestling Monarch Matcast. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | Soundcloud | TuneIn | Google Play Music | RSS | Android App | iOS App JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE