COLUMBIA, Mo. – Appalachian State University wrestling battled back in a furious rally attempt late in the match with a sudden-victory pin but was unable to complete the upset, falling 24-13 to sixth-ranked Missouri on Tuesday afternoon at the Hearnes Center.
The No. 17 Mountaineers (7-2, 3-0 Southern Conference) got two bonus-point victories on the day and one upset over the nationally ranked 133-pounder in the loss to the Tigers (5-1, 3-0 Mid-American Conference).
Appalachian’s fierce comeback effort began when freshman 133-pounder Colby Smith made a big return to his home state by pinning No. 8 Jaydin Eierman in the second sudden-victory period of the match after outlasting the nationally ranked grappler for 8:30.
After a misconduct call on Missouri led to one point being removed from the Tiger’s team score, the Mountaineers were suddenly within striking range.
Irvin Enriquez battled hard at the 141-pound weight class and almost came away with the victory that would have cut the deficit to one match, but the sophomore allowed a late takedown to Zach Synon, making it 7-5 for Missouri.
Also securing impressive victories for App State was senior No. 8 heavyweight Denzel Dejournette, who got a 10-1 major decision over Austin Myers, and junior No. 21 Nick Kee, who forced a 7-2 decision at the 174 match over Taylor Watkins.
The Black and Gold went toe-to-toe with the Tigers on the day, having four matches decided by three points or fewer. Senior Forrest Przybysz fell in a tough one at 165 pounds with a 6-4 decision to No. 4 Daniel Lewis, while junior 184-pounder David Peters-Logue dropped a tight 6-4 decision to Matt Lemanowicz.
Sophomore Gavin Londoff opened up the action on the day at the 157-pound match but was unable to get the victory, falling 12-1 in a major decision before 18th-ranked senior Vito Pasone had his five-match win streak at 125 pounds snapped, falling to No. 7 Barlow McGhee 11-3 in a major decision.
Appalachian State now has a 19-day break between dual matches but will be participating in the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn., on New Year’s Day. The Mountaineers’ next dual matches will be in Varsity Gym on Jan. 8 as they return home to host both The Citadel and Clarion. The action is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
No. 6 Missouri 24, No. 17 Appalachian State 13
125: #7 Barlow McGhee (MO) def. #18 Vito Pasone (APP), 11-3 maj. dec.
133: Colby Smith (APP) def. #8 Jaydin Eierman (MO), SV-2/Pin (8:30)
141: Zach Synon (MO) def. Irvin Enriquez (APP), 7-5 dec.
149: #3 Lavion Mayes (MO) def. #15 Matt Zovistoski (APP), 13-10 dec.
157: #3 Joey Lavallee (MO) def. Gavin Londoff (APP), 12-1 maj. dec.
165: #4 Daniel Lewis (MO) def. Forrest Przybysz (APP), 6-4 dec.
174: #21 Nick Kee (APP) def. Taylor Watkins (MO), 7-2 dec.
184: Matt Lemanowicz (MO) def. David Peters-Logue (APP), 6-4 dec.
197: #1 J’Den Cox (MO) def. Randall Diabe (APP), 18-3 TF
HWT: #8 Denzel Dejournette (APP) def. Austin Myers (MO), 10-1 maj. dec.