Wrestling Southern Conference

Appalachian State Dominates UNCG Grapplers, 32-7

Greg Forbes and Keith Ritter only victorious Spartans

GREENSBORO, N.C. The UNCG wrestling squad fell behind 11-0 after the first two weight classes, never recovered and dropped its Southern Conference dual with Appalachian State, 32-7, in wrestling action from Fleming Gym Thursday night.

Senior heavyweight Greg Forbes and sophomore 149-pound Keith Ritter were the only Spartans to win matches.

Forbes (4-2, 2-0 SoCon) used his quickness and strength to dominate Caleb Smith at 285. Forbes earned his third major decision in just six matches this season. UNCG's lone other victory came at 149-pounds. Ritter took control of his match with Steve Fox early building a 6-2 lead after one period. Ritter (7-11, 2-0 SoCon) continued the attack and increased to his lead to as many as eight points, 12-4, but missed out on the major decision due to riding time.

UNCG (3-3, 1-1 SoCon) fell behind right from the start. Appalachian State (2-5, 2-1 SoCon) jumped out to an 11-0 lead after the 133-pound and 141-pound weight classes. At 133, Travis Drake completely dominated Wes Gibson (0-2, 0-1 SoCon), 20-2. Drake, who entered the dual ranked 14th in the country, outscored Gibson 14-0 in the second period before the match was terminated.

The Spartans looked as though it might regain some momentum at 141 after junior Anthony Warren (4-5, 1-1 SoCon) grabbed a 11-6 lead midway through the second period, including a near pin, but Jason Jones capitalized on a Warren mistake and pinned the junior at 5:33. UNCG never recovered.

The Spartans dropped six of the next eight matches.

Nate Parmenter (5-7, 0-2 SoCon) dropped his fourth straight match at 157-pounds. The junior held a 2-1 lead over Carl Elliott with just 30 seconds left in the final period, but allowed Elliott to escape and thus lost the match on riding time, 3-2.

Reigning SoCon Wrestler of the Week, Mark Fee, was dominant once again. Fee pinned Terry Garbis (6-8, 1-1 SoCon) in 3:39 at 165-pounds. Jared Linderman also dominated Ryan Midgett (3-6, 1-1 SoCon) at 197-pounds. Linderman grabbed a 7-1 second period lead and cruised past Midgett, 10-4.

The Spartans fell just short of victories in the next two matches, 174 and 184. Ron Williams (9-8, 1-1 SoCon) stood tied, 2-2, with Lee Roper heading into the third period, but Roper scored a take down just seconds into the final period and held on for a 6-3 decision. At 184, Matt Dunn (3-3, 1-1 SoCon) and Sean McIntosh battled through three periods and a pair of overtime periods before McIntosh scored a near fall in sudden death to grab the victory. In the final match of the night, Terrance Thompson edged Tony Stewart (2-9, 0-1 SoCon), 2-0.

UNCG returns to action this Sunday, February 3, versus Chattanooga. The dual begins at 3 pm. The Mocs lead the all-time series, 4-1 and have captured the last four meetings.