CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The VMI wrestling team (2-10, 2-2 SoCon) ended a 10-match losing streak on Feb. 17, winning at The Citadel (4-14, 2-2 SoCon) in front of its arch-rival's hostile crowd at the First Battalion.
The Keydets got out to a good start as freshman Jacob Inge (Poquoson, Va./ Poquoson) defeated Keith Clifton, 5-4 to give VMI a 3-0 lead.
After dropping the next two matches, Keydet freshman Jason Cox (Amherst, Va./ Amherst County) pinned Jordan Everett and junior heavyweight Brian Toney (Boones Mill, Va./ Franklin County) defeated John Bohren, 7-2, giving the Keydets the lead again at 12-10.
The Bulldogs took the lead again at 16-12 after winning the next two matches, but the Keydets quickly retaliated. VMI junior 141-pounder Oliver Ruiz (Fairview, N.J./ Cliffside Park) returned from an injury by defeating Andrew Norris by an 11-10 score. Keydet sophomore Adam Britt (Mechanicsville, Va./ Atlee) then clinched the match by pinning Justin Byczek as the Keydets held on for the two-point win. Britt improved his record to 27-7 this year and 11-1 in dual matches.
VMI will complete its regular season with a match at Chattanooga on Wednesday night. Festivities will begin at 7:00.
Complete match results below:
VMI 21, The Citadel 19
Team Score
Weight Match Result VMI CIT
125 Brandon Gates (CIT) d. Juan Sanchez (VMI), 2-0 12 13
133 Mike Mishoe (CIT) d. Levi Spellman (VMI), 13-12 12 16
141 Oliver Ruiz (VMI) d. Andrew Norris (CIT), 11-10 15 16
149 Adam Britt (VMI) pinned Justin Byczek (CIT) 21 16
157 Robby Bell d. Tony Peters (VMI), 11-4 21 19
*165 Jacob Inge (VMI) d. Keith Clifton (CIT), 5-4 3 0
174 Jon Gross (CIT) d. Adam Maneen (VMI), 9-0 3 4
184 Mike Regner (CIT) won by forfeit. 3 10
197 Jason Cox (VMI) pinned Jordan Everett (CIT), First Period 9 10
285 Brian Toney (VMI) d. John Bohren, 7-2 12 10
* First match of the dual as determined by random draw