July 11, 2008

FERRUM, Va. - A pair of rising sophomores were recognized for their accomplishments during the 2007-08 season on Friday afternoon when the Virginia Association of Sports Information Directors (VaSID) announced its first-ever All-State Team for wrestling. Cayle Byers was named to the First Team at 197 pounds while Frankie McLaughlin was selected to the Second Team at 157 pounds.

Byers enjoyed immediate success in his first season on the team, earning a wild card invitation to the NCAA Championships after a phenomenal rookie campaign in which he finished in third place at the CAA Championships in one of the toughest weight classes in the conference. He was ranked 13th in the final InterMat Poll and 15th in the final Amateur Wrestling News Poll, and was the only freshman in the nation ranked in the Top-20 at 197 pounds in either poll. Byers led the team in wins (37), dual wins (16) and major decisions (7), and was tied for the team lead in conference victories with seven.

Wrestling at 157 pounds, McLaughlin had a stellar freshman season for the Patriots. Despite being sidelined for a few weeks due to injury, the Hillsborough, N.J. native finished the season with 21 wins against only nine losses and a 7-3 mark in dual matches. He finished second on the team to Byers with six major decision victories.

Old Dominion swept the major awards as James Nicholson was named the state's Wrestler of the Year and Freshman of the Year. The Monarchs' Steve Martin earned Coach of the Year honors.

2008 VaSID All-State Wrestling Team
First Team
125: James Nicholson, Old Dominion
133: Kyle Hutter, Old Dominion
141: Tim Harner, Liberty
149: Kaylen Baxter, Old Dominion
157: Peter Rose, Southern Virginia
165: Chris Brown, Old Dominion
174: Chris Henrich, Virginia
184: Rocco Caponi, Virginia
197: Cayle Byers, George Mason
285: Patrick Walker, Liberty


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