Gardner-Webb tops VMI in SoCon opener

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb took down VMI in both squads’ Southern Conference opener Wednesday night, rolling to a 31-9 victory in Paul Porter Arena.

Gardner-Webb (3-4, 1-0 SoCon) blew the match open just four bouts in, with 149-pounder Ryan Mosley recording a 22-6 tech fall over Jake Krall to get things into high gear. Mosley led 7-1 after the first period, pushed the lead to 11-2 after two and pulled away in the third.

Kyle Ash took down B.J. Crozier in the second period at 157 pounds to push Gardner-Webb’s lead to 17-3 and Austin Trott followed by pinning Shabaka Jones in the second period at 165 pounds.

VMI (1-3, 0-1 SoCon) got an 8-7 decision via riding time from Mark Darr at 174 pounds to trim the lead to 23-6, but Gray Jones recorded a tech fall at 184 pounds for Gardner-Webb (18-3) – followed by a 3-2 decision from Boyce Cornwell in his season debut at 197 pounds for a 31-6 margin.

Heavyweight Juan Adams outlasted Justin Kozera in the evening’s final bout to pick up three points for the Keydets.

Gardner-Webb will head to Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 13 to participate in the Cleveland State Open and will get back to action Jan. 1-2 at the annual Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn..

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will host Binghamton in their next dual match on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

Gardner-Webb 31, VMI 9
125 – Cortez Starkes (GWU) dec. Dalton Henderson (VMI), 7-0 – 3-0
133 – Tyler Ziegler (GWU) dec. Hunter Starner (VMI), 5-1 – 6-0
141 – Emmitt Kelly (VMI) dec. Ryan Hull (GWU), 7-3 – 6-3
149 – Ryan Mosley (GWU) tech. fall. Jake Krall (VMI), 22-6 – 11-3
157 – Kyle Ash (GWU) fall B.J. Crozier (VMI), 3:00 – 17-3
165 – Austin Trott (GWU) fall Shabaka Jones (VMI), 5:00 – 23-3
174 – Mark Darr (VMI) dec. Christian Maroni (GWU), 8-7 – 23-6
184 – Gray Jones (GWU) tech. fall Jake Koch (VMI), 18-3 – 28-6
197 – Boyce Cornwell (GWU) dec. Urayoan Garcia (VMI), 3-2 – 31-6
285 – Juan Adams (VMI) dec. Justin Kozera (GWU), 2-1 – 31-9