Appalachian State splits tri-dual
BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University wrestling split two duals with Cleveland State and NC State on Thursday at Varsity Gym. The Mountaineers defeated the Vikings from Cleveland State, 21-13. The Apps then fell later in the night to the NC State Wolfpack 29-6.
The Mountaineers got off to a fast start against the Vikings. Junior Dominic Parisi set the tone with a first-period pin against John Martin of Cleveland State at 125 pounds and the Apps never looked back. Chris Johnson earned a 6-1 decision over Daniel King 133 and reigning SoCon Wrestler of the Week Dylan Cottrell won a 2-1 decision over R.J. LaBeef at 149.
Zack Strickland defeated Matt Donohoe by a 7-1 decision at 165, followed by Colin Hedash’s 6-2 decision at 174 to extend the Mountaineer lead to 18-6 over the Vikings. True freshman Kacee Hutchinson earned the last decision for App State, 11-5 over Ray Stone at 197 pounds.
The most exciting matches of the night, however, had yet to even hit the mats. The Mountaineers had a few exhilarating matches against NC State in what was the final dual of the night.
Once again, Parisi started things off at 125 with a 7-2 decision over Micah Perez of the Wolfpack to get the early lead for the Mountaineers, 3-0. After Johnson dropped a decision at 133 and Jake Smith lost at 141, the Mountaineers looked for something to change the momentum.
Cottrell found himself down 10-7 in the third period to Brian Hamann. Cottrell was able to spark the wrestling faithful inside of Varsity Gym and brought fans to their feet with a two-point takedown followed up by a two-point near fall to lead 11-10. The time ran out in the third period and went into overtime with Hamann grabbing the extra point from riding time.
With fans still on their feet, they didn’t have to wait long for a result as Cottrell quickly used the momentum into a takedown to end the match and grab his second victory of the night. With the wins, the Spencer, W.Va., native moved to a nearly perfect 16-1 overall record on the season, including a perfect 7-0 record in dual matches.
The Wolfpack would rally off four decisions, a major decision and a pin to end the match and take it by a 29-6 score.
The Mountaineers will return to the mats on New Year’s Day in Chattanooga, Tenn., as the Apps will compete in the Southern Scuffle, which covers both New Year’s Day and Jan. 2.
Appalachian State 21, Cleveland State 13
125: Dominic Parisi (APP) fall John Martin (CSU), (1:29) (APP 6-0)
133: Chris Johnson (APP) dec. Daniel King (CSU), 6-1 (APP 9-0)
141: Michael Carlone (CSU) dec. Jake Smith (APP), 5-4 (APP 9-3)
149: Dylan Cottrell (APP) dec. R.J. LaBeef (CSU), 2-1 (APP 12-3)
157: Latrell Davis (CSU) dec. Nick Hall (APP), 6-5 (APP 12-6)
165: Zack Strickland (APP) dec. Matt Donohoe (CSU), 7-1 (APP 15-6)
174: Colin Hedash (APP) dec. Nick Corba (CSU), 6-2 (APP 18-6)
184: Xavier Dye (CSU) maj. dec. Nick Vetell (APP), 15-6 (APP 18-10)
197: Kacee Hutchinson (APP) dec. Ray Stone (CSU), 11-5 (APP 21-10)
285: Riley Shaw (CSU) dec. Denzel Dejournette (APP), 8-6 (APP 21-13)
NC State 28, Appalachian State 6
125: Dominic Parisi (APP) dec. Micah Perez (NCSU), 7-3 (APP 3-0)
133: Chris Wilkes (NCSU) dec. Chris Johnson (APP), 6-2 (Tied 3-3)
141: Sam Speno (NCSU) dec. Jake Smith (APP), 3-0 (NCSU 6-3)
149: Dylan Cottrell (APP) dec. Brian Hamann (NCSU), 13-11 SV (Tied 6-6)
157: Tommy Gantt (NCSU) dec. Nick Hall (APP), 9-6 (NCSU 9-6)
165: Nijel Jones (NCSU) dec. Zack Strickland (APP), 6-1 (NCSU 12-6)
174: Pete Renda (NCSU) dec. Colin Hedash (APP), 3-2 (NCSU 15-6)
184: Shayne Brady (NCSU) dec. Nick Vetell (APP), 2-1 (NCSU 18-6)
197: KaRonne Jones (NCSU) maj. dec. Kacee Hutchinson (APP), 11-2 (NCSU 22-6)
285: Nick Gwiazdowski (NCSU) fall Denzel Dejournette (APP), (2:05) (NCSU 29-6)