BOONE, N.C. – With a share of the Southern Conference title on the line, Appalachian State won in dominating fashion over VMI on Thursday, 27-9. The Mountaineers (11-3, 6-1 SoCon) won seven of 10 matches over the Keydets (3-9, 1-6 SoCon).
With the win, the Mountaineers clinched a share of their first Southern Conference regular-season title since 2012.
Vito Pasone took on one of the hottest wrestlers in the SoCon in Dalton Henderson who had won his previous 11 matches. Pasone jumped out to a 4-1 advantage after the two periods and hung on for a 4-3 decision win to put the Apps up, 3-0.
Irvin Enriquez got the start at 133 pounds and faced Dominick Gallo. After a wild first period Enriquez was on top, 3-2. Gallo tied the match late in the second period and a reversal in the final period gave Gallo a 6-4 decision win.
Michael Longo used a takedown and a three near-falls in the first period to open up a commanding 12-0 lead in the first period. Longo went on to win by a 15-0 technical fall in the second period.
With the Apps up 8-3, Matt Zovistoski took the mat against Emmitt Kelly and opened up a 6-2 lead with one period left. Zovistoski fought off a rally from Kelly to win 8-5.
David Peters-Logue took on Neal Richards and was down 6-3 after two periods. Peters-Logue was unable to rally and dropped a 12-5 decision. Apps led 11-6.
Forrest Przybysz jumped out to an 8-3 lead over Shabaka Johns through two periods and went on win by the same score. Nick Kee enjoyed 12-0 lead in the third period before a late reversal for VMI would end the match at 13-2.
The 184-pound match started with the Apps up 18-6. Taylor Jackson battled through a low-scoring match but fell by 6-0 decision to Derek Thurman. A quick first-period takedown gave Randall Diabe a 2-0 lead in the 197-pound match. Diabe hung on for a 5-3 decision win after a late charge from Taylor Thomas.
Denzel Dejournette came out of the gate quickly to a 10-0 lead in the first period over Tasi Mathias. With just seconds remaining in the period, Dejournette pinned Mathias to cap the 27-9 victory with his fifth pin of the year.
The Mountaineers will be back in Varsity Gym on Friday for a showdown between ranked opponents. No. 24 App State will welcome No. 5 Missouri to Boone. Match time is set for 6:30 p.m.
VMI will return to action Feb. 18, when the Keydets close out the regular season at George Mason. Action in Fairfax, Va. is set for 7 p.m.
App State 27, VMI 9
125: Vito Pasone (A) def. Dalton Henderson (V) D, 4-3 (App leads 3-0)
133: Dominick Gallo (V) def. Irvin Enriquez (A) D, 6-4 (Tied 3-3)
141: Michael Longo (A) def. Hunter Starner (V) TF, 15-0 (App leads 8-3)
149: Matt Zovistoski (A) def. Emmit Kelly (V) D, 8-5 (App leads 11-3)
157: Neal Richards (V) def. David Peters-Logue (A) (App leads 11-6)
165: Forrest Przybysz (A) def. Shabaka Johns (V) D, 8-3 (App leads 14-6)
174: Nick Kee (A) def. Mark Darr (V) MD, 13-2 (App leads 18-6)
184: Derek Thurman (V) def. Taylor Jackson (A) D, 6-0 (App leads 18-9)
197: Randall Diabe (A) def. Taylor Thomas (V) D, 5-3 (App leads 21-9)
Hwt: Denzel Dejournette (A) pinned Tasi Mathias (V) (Pin 2:58) (App leads 27-9)