HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Despite building commanding leads through six bouts in matches against Bloomsburg and Hofstra, the VMI wrestling team could not maintain the advantages as the Keydets fell by respective scores of 20-18 and 25-18 Sunday afternoon.
Facing Bloomsburg in the first match of the day, the Keydets built an 18-4 lead through six bouts, starting with a 5-3 Dalton Henderson decision over the Huskies’ Jon Haas for a quick 3-0 team lead. After Dominick Gallo was majored by his BU opponent at 133 pounds, VMI’s Hunter Starner earned bonus points for VMI by pinning Bloomsburg’s Sam Holandez in the second period (4:31) to give VMI a 9-4 lead.
At 149 pounds, VMI’s Emmitt Kelly lifted the Keydets to a 12-4 lead by earning an 8-2 decision over Ryan Snow. Freshman Neal Richards (157) and junior Shabaka Johns (165) would go on to earn decision victories in their respective bouts to give the Keydets their final tally of 18 points.
VMI was unable to notch any more points in the final four bouts as Bloomsburg rallied for 16 unanswered points in the upperweight divisions to steal the come-from-behind win.
Against Hofstra in the 3 p.m. match, VMI again built a commanding 18-3 advantage through six bouts but let the Pride back in it in the final bouts, including an additional forfeit at 197, as the host team also stole a come-from-behind victory over the Keydets.
Henderson led the way with a 3-0 decision over Hofstra’s Bryan Damon for another quick 3-0 team lead for VMI. Dominick Gallo logged his first dual win of the year by majoring Hofstra’s Marcus Begay, 9-0, at 133 pounds for a 7-0 VMI advantage. Hofstra 141-pounder Jamel Hudson tempered the momentum by defeating Starner by a 6-2 decision to trim the VMI lead to 7-3.
After a Kelly victory by decision at 149 pounds, Richards and Johns did register bonus points at 157 and 165 pounds by majoring their opponents and increasing the Keydet lead to 18-3 after six bouts. Losses in three of the final four divisions and the forfeiture at 197 pounds again doomed VMI as the Pride escaped with the 25-18 victory on its home mat.
VMI returns to action on Friday, Jan. 8, with a neutral-site matchup with nationally ranked Virginia. The Keydets and Cavaliers square off at 7 p.m. at St. Christopher’s High School in Richmond, Va.
Bloomsburg 20, VMI 18
125: Dalton Henderson dec. Jon Haas (BU), 5-3; 3-0
133: Andy Schutz (BU) maj. dec. Dominick Gallo, 12-2; 3-4
141: Hunter Starner pinned Sam Holandez (BU), 4:31; 9-4
149: Emmitt Kelly dec. Ryan Snow (BU), 8-2; 12-4
157: Neal Richards dec. Brendon Colbert (BU), 6-5; 15-4
165: Shabaka Johns dec. Matt Carr (BU), 9-4; 18-4
174: Casey Glunt (BU) dec. Mark Darr, 7-1; 18-7
184: Kyle Wojtaszek (BU) maj. dec. Derek Thurman, 12-4; 18-11
197: VMI forfeit; 18-17
285: Saul Wilkins (BU) dec. Tasi Mathias, 5-3; 18-20
Hofstra 25, VMI 18
125: Dalton Henderson dec. Bryan Damon (HU), 3-0; 3-0
133: Dominick Gallo maj. dec. Marcus Begay (HU), 9-0; 7-0
141: Jamel Hudson (HU) dec. Hunter Starner, 6-2; 7-3
149: Emmitt Kelly dec. Ryan Burkert (HU), 6-5; 10-3
157: Neal Richards maj. dec. Jahlani Callender, 21-8; 14-3
165: Shabaka Johns maj. dec. Jermaine John, 8-0; 18-3
174: Frank Affronti (HU) maj. dec. Mark Darr, 11-3; 18-7
184: Cory Damiana (HU) pinned Derek Thurman, 1:50; 18-13
197: VMI forfeit; 18-19
285: Michael Hughes (HU) pinned Tasi Mathias, 0:36; 18-25