The Citadel 24, UNC Pembroke 16; The Citadel 36, Campbell 6
BUIES CREEK, N.C. ? The Citadel’s wrestling team went 2-0 Jan. 21, in Buies Creek, N.C., at the Campbell Duals, hosted by the Campbell Camels.
174-pound wrestler J.C. Oddo went 2-0 on the day, winning both matches by falls. The first fall occurred in 40 seconds against UNC Pembroke’s Teague Little. Oddo’s second victory was over Campbell’s Ryan Ham in 2:36. 157-pounder Keith Koziel as well as 165-pound Derek Sickel also notched two falls a piece to their records.
In the first meet of the duals the Bulldogs were behind 18-16 with two matches left to UNC Pembroke. Koziel defeated UNC Pembroke’s Rashaad Saunders by fall in 1:52, earning six points for The Citadel. With one match left the team victory relied on Sickel, who pinned UNC Pembroke’s Chandler Collins 3:14 making the final team score 24-16 for the Bulldogs.
After defeating UNC Pembroke, the Bulldogs faced the host team from Campbell. Oddo, 197-pounder Parker Burns and Koziel all scored falls as the Bulldogs defeated Campbell, 36-6.
The Bulldogs will be back in action Jan. 30 as the travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., to face the Mocs. The Bulldogs will then travel to Gaffney, S.C., Jan. 31 to compete against the team from Limestone.
Match 1 ? The Citadel (24) vs. UNC Pembroke (16)
174 ? J.C. Oddo (CIT) Fall Teague Little (UNCP) :40, 6-0 CIT
184 ? Kelby Smith (CIT) Decision Derek Garris (UNCP) 8-3, 9-0 CIT
197 ? Timmy Allen (UNCP) Decision Odie Delaney (CIT) 9-7, 9-3 CIT
285 ? Erik Stancil (UNCP) Decision Ivan Muller (CIT) 3-2, 9-6 CIT
125 ? Tyler Sim (CIT) Decision Kieyon Nash (UNCP) 8-1, 12-6 CIT
133 ? Mike Nash (UNCP) Decision Richard Alarcon (CIT) 6-5, 12-9 CIT
141 ? Bryan Miller (UNCP) Maj. Decision Derek Royster (CIT) 11-2, 13-12 UNCP
149 ? Brandon Bradley (UNCP) Decision David Ivanshchenko (CIT) 8-5, 16-12 UNCP
157 ? Keith Koziel (CIT) Fall Rashaad Saunders (UNCP) 1:52, 18-16 CIT
165 ? Derek Sickel (CIT) Fall Chandler Collins (UNCP) 3:14, 24-16 CIT
Match 2 ? Campbell (6) vs. The Citadel (36)
174 ? J.C. Oddo (CIT) Fall Ryan Ham (CU) 2:36, 6-0 CIT
184 ? Kelby Smith (CIT) Decision Kyle Higgins (CU) 4-3, 9-0 CIT
197 ? Parker Burns (CU) Fall Odie Delaney (CIT) 2:45, 9-6 CIT
285 ? Ivan Muller (CIT) Decision Khiry Reid (CU) 3-1, 12-6 CIT
125 ? Tyler Sim (CIT) Decision CJ Gittens (CU) 5-3, 15-6 CIT
133 ? Richard Alarcon (CIT) Decision Richie Apolinar (CU) 5-3 SV2, 18-6 CIT
141 ? Derek Royster (CIT) Decision Kelin Bidelsbach (CU) 5-3 SV, 21-6 CIT
149 ? David Ivanshchenko (CIT) Decision Joel Caudill (CU) 4-3, 24-6 CIT
157 ? Keith Koziel (CIT) Fall Jake Fose (CU) 2:48, 30-6 CIT
165 ? Derek Sickel (CIT) Fall Peter Comis 1:23, 36-6 CIT
George Mason 31, VMI 12
LEXINGTON, Va. ? George Mason surged to an early advantage by claiming each of the first five matches in securing a 31-12 decision over VMI in non-conference wrestling action on Thursday evening at the Thunderdome.
The Patriots (4-5-1) got extra-point wins in five of their seven wins overall in the match, helping defeat VMI (0-5) for the fourth-straight meeting.
“I feel like we made a little progress out there tonight, even though it may not show in the team score,” said VMI head coach John Trudgeon. “It was good to see John Pope and David Yost get some wins, it had been a while for both of them. Tonight, I thought that our guys wrestled inconsistently. We need to get wrestling at a high level and more consistently. But it’s hard with six freshmen and four sophomores out there, we’re just so green.”
The match began at 157 lbs., where Mason sophomore Frankie McLaughlin took on VMI freshman Matthew Brock. McLaughlin controlled the match throughout, totaling eight takedowns, while Brock accrued each of his points on escapes in an 18-6 major decision.
The visitors prevailed once again in a tooth-and-nail match at 165. A reversal midway through the first period by Keydet sophomore Jayme Gordon knotted his match against Mason sophomore Jimmy Kaden at two. After Kaden deferred to begin the second period, the two combatants traded reversals before Gordon gained his first lead of the night with an escape late in the period, grabbing a 5-4 advantage heading to the final two minutes.
In the third period, Kaden tied the bout at five with an escape early on, before quickly scoring a takedown to move ahead. Gordon could only manage a one-point escape in the remaining time, leading to a 7-6 decision in favor of Kaden.
The Patriots took control of the dual in the next two matches, quickly earning pins. Mason’s Mendbagana Tovuujav had already scored a pair of takedowns before pinning Vinnie Gallo at the 30-second mark at 174. At 184, Patriot sophomore Zach Ulm netted his pin in 33 seconds, putting the visitors up 19-0.
Mason sophomore Cayle Byers, ranked eighth nationally, delivered a 5-2 decision at 197 in the ensuing match, but did not have an easy time in taking on Keydet sophomore Ronnie Ellsworth. In fact, Byers could only score a single takedown of Ellsworth throughout the match, instead scoring his points on a pair of stalling penalties and an escape.
Having lost each of the first five matches and trailing 22-0 at the midway point, the Keydets responded by taking three of the next four matches. VMI sophomore Josh Wine improved upon his sterling career at the Thunderdome, running his all-time record at home to 4-1 with four pins in taking down Mike Peterson at the 2:33 mark.
As the match shifted back to the lightweights, John Pope kept the momentum on the home side with an impressive 5-2 win against Brian Wright. The first period saw a pair of takedowns for Pope, followed by escapes for Wright. The Keydet then earned an escape early on in the second period to grab a three-point lead. The rest of the match saw neither wrestler able to secure points, with several stoppages for the action moving out of bounds, eventually leading to the Keydets’ second-straight win.
Mason redshirt-freshman Denny Herndon officially put the match out of reach with his win at 133, a 12-3 major decision against true freshman Michael Bowman. Herndon came out firing in the first period, scoring a quick takedown, followed by a three-point nearfall before a Bowman escape just before the buzzer. Herndon grew his advantage with a reversal in the second period, while Bowman cut into the lead with a pair of reversals, one late in the second period and another to begin the third. The visitor tacked on five more points late in the third period thanks to a takedown, a two-point near fall and the riding time point, handing Bowman the first loss of his five-match dual career.
VMI freshman David Yost responded with a spirited win at 141, a 6-1 decision over John Delgado. Yost nearly scored a pair of takedowns early on in the opening stanza, and finally got his takedown midway through the period. He then tacked on a two-point near fall before allowing an escape by Delgado to bring the advantage to 4-1 through three minutes. Yost rode Delgado out the entire second period and very nearly scored back points just before the buzzer. The Keydet escaped in the third and added on the riding time point to bring the final margin to 6-1.
Mason put a fitting end on their dominant performance at 149, where sophomore Brandon Bucher scored an 18-2, technical fall in 5:20.
VMI returns to action on Sunday, returning to Southern Conference action on the road, taking on Davidson.
“We’ve got a big match coming up on Sunday,” said Trudgeon. “We’ve got to be at our best. It will be a good test for us, Davidson is having a good year. Hopefully we’ll be able to put our best wrestlers out there and have them compete at a high level.”
George Mason 31, VMI 12 (1/22/2009)
157- Frankie McLaughlin (GMU) MD Matthew Brock (VMI), 18-6
165- James Kaden (GMU) DEC Jayme Gordon (VMI), 7-6
174- Mendbagana Tovuujav (GMU) FALL Vincent Gallo (VMI), 0:30
184- Zach Ulm (GMU) FALL Thomas Kendzia (VMI), 0:33
197- Cayle Byers (GMU) DEC Ronald Ellsworth (VMI), 5-2
285- Josh Wine (VMI) FALL Mike Peterson (GMU), 2:33
125- John Pope (VMI) DEC Brian Wright (GMU), 5-2
133- Denny Herndon (GMU) MD Michael Bowman (VMI), 12-3
141- David Yost (VMI) DEC John Delgado (GMU), 6-1
149- Brandon Bucher (GMU) TF Joe Munno (VMI), 18-2 (5:20)
Attendance- 417
Chattanooga 25, Appalachian State 12
BOONE, N.C. - Frank Celorrio won his seventh-straight match but Chattanooga won three matches by two points or less to come away with a 25-12 Southern Conference win Saturday night.
Chattanooga won five matches in a row, starting at 141 with a 19-8 Cody Cleveland win, and ending with a 16-7 major decision win by Jason McCroskey. Three of the wins in that span came by two points or less.
Demetrius Johnson started the night off with a 20-4 tech. fall win over Austin Annas to give the Mocs a quick 5-0 lead. Celorrio closed the gap to 5-3 with a 3-2 decision over Josh Statum. The match came down to riding time which gave Celorrio the extra point in the win, his seventh in a row.
The next three matches, Chattanooga won by two points or less, starting at 149 with Kelly Felix's 7-5 decision over Savva Kostis. Felix scored a takedown with 10 seconds left in the match to secure the win. Brandon Wright was able to edge Chip Powell 5-4, a match that also came down to the final seconds. Powell, wrestling up a division, was able to hang with Wright, but came up just short.
At 165, Seth Garvin was able to score with three seconds left to edge Kyle Blevins for a 7-5 decision. Garvin, ranked No. 21 in the country, had his hands full with Blevins, but was able to come away with a hard fought win.
Appalachian earned six points when Dylan Temple earned a forfeit victory, his 16th win of the season and surpassing his total from last season. David Pritz kept the winning going for the Mountaineers as he beat Ethan Winel 3-2. It was another hard fought match and the freshman came away with his sixth victory of the season.
In the final match of the night, Cody Sliger won a physical match over Brandon Brothers 5-1. It was the first match of the season for Brothers.
Appalachian will now look to get back on the winning track next weekend when they travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to take on Duke and Eastern Michigan next Saturday, Jan. 31.
Chattanooga 28, UNC Greensboro 18
GREENSBORO, NC ? Although the UNC Greensboro wrestling team jumped out to an early 15-6 lead, the Spartans fell to Chattanooga, 28-18, on Sunday afternoon in Fleming Gymnasium.
With the win, the Mocs moved into sole possession of first place in the Southern Conference at 3-0, while UNCG dropped to 2-1 in league action.
Mitchell Johnson got the Spartans started off on a great note by pinning Demetrius Johnson for his sixth straight win this season.
After the two wrestlers exchanged takedowns in the first period, Mitchell Johnson used a reversal and turned Demetrius Johnson to record the pin at the 2:23 mark. Casey Boyle kept the momentum rolling for UNCG as he used a first period reversal and two near-fall points to score a 6-4 decision over Josh Statum.
Chattanooga recorded their first win of the day at 141 pounds after No. 8 Cody Cleveland scored a 13-6 decision over Chris Bencivenga.
The Mocs closed the team score margin to 9-6 after Kelly Felix defeated Ben Wilmore, 6-5, at 149 pounds. Wilmore used a two-point near-fall to go up 5-4 headed into the final period, but Felix was able to score a reversal with a minute remaining to pull ahead, 6-5.
Andrew Saunders seemed to have the Spartans back on track after recording a pin at 157 pounds. After scoring an early takedown, Saunders ran a half nelson to pin Brandon Wright with just nine seconds left in the first period. Joey Knox was able to right the ship for the Mocs as he started off a four-match winning streak for Chattanooga. Knox used three takedowns and three near-falls to score a 15-0 technical fall over Victor Hojilla.
The Mocs took their first lead of the afternoon after Seth Garvin recorded his own, 15-0, technical fall. Garvin scored four near-falls as he defeated Byron Sigmon at 174 pounds to give Chattanooga a 16-15 lead in the team score. Jason McCroskey pushed the Mocs lead to 22-15 after recording a third period pin against Mikal McKee. After trailing 1-0 heading into the third period, McKee chose neutral and scored an early takedown before McCroskey scored an escape to knot the match at 1. McCroskey then scored a takedown and put McKee directly to his back for the pin.
Ethan Winel made it back-to-back pins for Chattanooga after pinning Ryan Sughrue at 197 pounds. Trailing 3-2 in the third period, Winel used an inside trip to put Sughrue to his back and extend the Moc lead to 28-18. In the final match of the afternoon, Joe Sheffield scored a third period takedown to win, 3-1, against Cody Sliger at 285 pounds. It was his sixth win in his last eight matches for the heavyweight.
UNCG will return to the mat for another SoCon dual match on Thursday as they travel to Davidson for a 7 pm match.
AGATE
UTC 28, UNC Greensboro 18
125: Mitchell Johnson (UNCG) fall Demetrius Johnson (UTC), 2:23 (6-0)
133: Casey Boyle (UNCG) dec. Josh Statum (UTC), 6-4 (9-0)
141: No. 8 Cody Cleveland (UTC) dec. Chris Bencivenga (UNCG), 13-6 (9-3)
149: Kelly Felix (UTC) dec. Ben Wilmore (UNCG), 6-5 (9-6)
157: Andrew Saunders (UNCG) fall Brandon Wright (UTC), 2:51 (15-6)
165: Joey Knox (UTC) tech. fall Victor Hojilla (UNCG), 15-0 (15-11)
174: Seth Garvin (UTC) tech. fall Byron Sigmon (UNCG), 15-0 (15-16)
184: Jason McCroskey (UTC) fall Mikal McKee (UNCG), 5:54 (15-22)
197: Ethan Winel (UTC) fall Ryan Sughrue (UNCG), 5:41 (15-28)
285: Joe Sheffield (UNCG) dec. Cody Sliger (UTC), 3-1 (18-28)
Davidson 23, VMI 12
DAVIDSON, N.C. - In their first Southern Conference home meet of the year, the Davidson wrestling team never trailed on their way to a 23-12 victory over VMI on Sunday afternoon at the John M. Belk Arena.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 4-8 on the season, and pick up their first SoCon win of the year, now sitting at 1-1 in the conference. VMI falls to 0-6, and 0-2 in the SoCon. It was also the Wildcats’ first-ever win against their longtime rivals, who were the first opponent Davidson faced in their inaugural season of 1963-64.
Sophomore Vitaly Radsky scored the first four points at 141 and held on for a 10-5 victory for the ?Cats in the day’s first match. Radsky picked up his 12th win of the season after amassing a 6-2 advantage thought two periods and gave Davidson an early 3-0 lead.
At 149, freshman David DeCamp used a late takedown to amass a 9-1 lead through two periods on his way to a 13-5 major decision. Classmate Tyler Mullen then stretched the Davidson advantage to 10 points with his second career pin at 165, which came 1:28 into the match, pushing the team score to 13-3.
Davidson reached their second double-digit lead of the day courtesy of Sam O’Hair’s 15-3 major decision at 184. O’Hair used a seven point second period to break open a 3-1 score on his way to the victory.
After VMI cut the lead to 17-12, Ben Altman scored five unanswered points on his way to a dramatic 8-6 overtime victory at 125. Altman, who was down 6-3 early in the match, scored a two-point takedown 20 seconds into the extra period for the win.
Alex Radsky then clinched the team victory with his 4-2 decision at 133, giving Davidson the final 23-12 advantage.
The ?Cats will continue a three-meet SoCon home swing when they take on UNC Greensboro on Jan. 29. The SoCon matchup is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in Belk Arena.
Davidson 23, VMI 12
141: Vitaly Radsky (DAV) dec. David Yost (VMI), 10-5, 3-0 DAV
149: David DeCamp (DAV) maj. dec. Joe Munno (VMI), 13-5, 7-0
157: Michael Long (VMI) dec. Carl Sandercock, 10-3, 7-3
165: Tyler Mullen (DAV) pins Kyle Elgert (VMI), 1:28, 13-3
174: Andrew Szymborski (VMI) dec. Kevin Cook (DAV), 4-0, 13-6
184: Sam O’Hair (DAV) maj. dec. Jayme Gordon (VMI), 15-3, 17-6
197: Ronnie Ellsworth (VMI) dec. Jorge Estrada (DAV), 4-1, 17-9
285: Josh Wine (VMI) dec. Charlie Wolff (DAV), 5-0, 17-12
125: Ben Altman (DAV) dec. John Pope (VMI), 8-6 OT, 20-12
133: Alex Radsky (DAV) dec. Michael Bowman (VMI), 4-2, 23-12