Campbell 29, VMI 12
LEXINGTON, Va. – Campbell took its second straight Southern Conference win Friday night as it defeated VMI 29-12. The Camels move to 2-0 both overall and in league action, picking up their third straight win over the Keydets.
The freshman twin duo of Tyler and Drew Walker quickly picked up two wins at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively, to give CU the quick 7-0 start over the Keydets. Tyler Walker picked up the 5-2 decision over Dalton Henderson in his first appearance as a Camel. Drew Walker followed with a 12-4 major decision, his second of the year, over Michael Flora.
VMI stormed back, winning two bouts in a row to close the Camel lead to one, 7-6. Emmitt Kelly earned the 7-3 decision over sophomore Michael Dahlstrom at 141 pounds, while Shabaka Johns took the 4-1 win over redshirt senior Brent Jorge at 149.
Campbell answered with five straight individual wins. Sophomore Grant Blumenthal defeated Edward Gottwald 7-5 in the sudden victory match at 157 pounds, giving CU the 10-6 edge.
Junior Paul Duggan earned the first of two Camel falls of the night, pinning Mark Darr in 5:47 for his fourth at the 165-pound spot, increasing the CU lead to 16-6. Sophomore Cody Ryba tacked on three more points with a close 8-7 victory over Derek Thurman at 174 pounds.
The win was secured for Campbell by freshman Ville Heino at 184 pounds. He pinned Hardy Hendren in 2:25, his second fall of the year, putting the Camels up 25-6.
Sophomore 197-pounder Taylor McGiffen earned CU’s final points with an 11-3 major decision over Andrew Embree.
Campbell forfeited the heavyweight bout but took the 29-12 victory, staying atop the SoCon standings at a perfect 2-0.
The Camels continue their SoCon slate Thursday in a 6 p.m. dual against Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C.
The Keydets are back in action on Sunday when they head to Fairfax, Va., to face George Mason University. Match time is set for 5 p.m. in the Patriots’ Recreation Athletic Complex.
Campbell 29, VMI 12
125: Tyler Walker (CU) DEC Dalton Henderson (VMI) 5-2 (0-3)
133: Drew Walker (CU) MAJ DEC Michael Flora (VMI) 12-4 (0-7)
141: Emmitt Kelly (VMI) DEC Michael Dahlstrom (CU) 7-3 (3-7)
149: Shabaka Johns (VMI) DEC Brent Jorge (CU) 4-1 (6-7)
157: Grant Blumenthal (CU) SV-1 Ted Gottwald (VMI) 7-5 (6-10)
165: Paul Duggan (CU) WBF Mark Darr (VMI) 5:47 (6-16)
174: Cody Ryba (CU) DEC Derek Thurman (VMI) 8-7 (6-19)
184: Ville Heino (CU) WBF Hardy Hendren (VMI) 2:25 (6-25)
197: Taylor McGiffen (CU) MAJ DEC Andrew Embree (VMI) 11-3 (6-29)
285: Juan Adams (VMI) Wins By Forfeit (12-29)