The Citadel downs Davidson
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Citadel wrestling team defeated Southern Conference member Davidson on Sunday 28-16. With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 5-9 overall and 2-4 in the SoCon.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead behind a pin by Marshall Haas at 197 pounds and an 11-4 decision by Joe Bexley (13-12, 3-3 SoCon). Haas (22-9, 6-0) picked up his fourth pin this season over Davidson’s Michael Moore in 1:26.
The Wildcats got back into the mix at 125 after winning by pin and then by a 5-3 sudden-victory decision at 133 pounds, tying the score at 9-9.
Ty Bucksio (18-11, 5-0) put The Citadel back on top at 141 pounds after pinning Billy McClelland in 4:11 to make the score 15-9 with five weight classes remaining. Senior Matt Frisch added to the Bulldogs’ lead at 149 after defeating Aidan Conroy by a 9-0 major decision. Frisch is now 19-8 overall and 4-2 in SoCon duals.
At 157 pounds, Aaron Walker continued to dominate as he defeated Tony Palumbo by fall in 3:50. The junior has not lost since Jan. 2 and has the best record on the team at 23-5. With the pin, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 25-9.
Davidson earned four points in the 165 bout after winning by a 13-4 major decision, making the score 25-13 with just two matches remaining.
Freshman Tim Knipl (11-18, 2-4) sealed the win for the ‘Dogs after winning by a 6-2 decision at 174 pounds over the Wildcats’ Nathaniel Powers. In the last matchup of the day, Chandler Sambets made his debut at 184 pounds. The sophomore kept things close but eventually dropped the match by a 5-1 decision, making the final score 28-16 in favor of the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs return home for two duals over the next two weeks. The Citadel takes on Chattanooga on Feb. 12 for its last SoCon dual of the season at 6 p.m. inside McAlister Field House.
Davidson will travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to take on Gardner-Webb on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
The Citadel 28, Davidson 16
125: Camden Bertucci (DAV) fall over Charles Kearney (CIT), 5:34
133: Dustin Runzo (DAV) decision over Caleb Smith (CIT), SV-1 5-3
141: Tyler Buckiso (CIT) fall over Billy McClelland (DAV), 4:11
149: Matthew Frisch (CIT) majord decision Aidan Conroy (DAV), 9-0
157: Aaron Walker (CIT) fall over Tony Palumbo (DAV), 3:50
165: Adam Flatt (DAV) major decision Daniel Smith (CIT), 13-4
174: Timothy Knipl decision over Nathaniel Powers (DAV), 6-2
184: Konner Pritchard (DAV) decision over Chandler Sambe (CIT), 5-1
197: Marshall Haas (CIT) fall over Michael Moore (DAV), 1:26
285: Joe Bexley (CIT) decision over Will Cooley (DAV), 11-4
SIUE drops VMI
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE’s wrestling team scored pins by Derek Nagel and Chris Johnson on Sunday, finishing with a commanding 33-8 victory over VMI at the Vadalabene Center.
It was SIUE's biggest win against an NCAA Division I program since joining the Southern Conference and the largest dual-meet margin of victory against a conference opponent.
The Cougars won eight of the 10 matches contested, including three major decisions and the two pins.
SIUE improved to 4-10 overall and is now 4-1 at the Vadalabene Center. VMI dropped to 3-8 overall. The Cougars moved into a tie for fourth place in the SoCon standings and will face Campbell next Saturday on Senior Day at noon Central.
VMI continues SoCon action Thursday night as it travels to Appalachian State for another road match. The first bout is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Boone, North Carolina.
Nagel's victory put the VMI match out of reach when he picked up the fall in 4 minutes, 47 seconds against Derek Thurman at 184 pounds. It was the seventh straight win for the senior.
Dakota Leach put the Cougars on the scoreboard first with an 11-6 victory over Dominic Gallo at 133 pounds. He was followed by major decisions from John Muldoon at 141 pounds and John Fahy at 149 pounds.
Jake Tindle evened his season record at 12-12 with a 12-2 major decision at 197 pounds.
Johnson closed out the dual with a 2:53 pin over Urayoan Garcia at heavyweight.
It was Alumni Day for SIUE wrestling, with numerous former wrestlers being introduced to the crowd at the Vadalabene Center, including Hall of Fame coach Larry Kristoff.
SIUE 33, VMI 8
125: Dalton Henderson (VMI) over Joe Antonelli (SIUE) (MD 10-2)
133: Dakota Leach (SIUE) over Dominick Gallo (VMI) (Dec 11-6)
141: John Muldoon (SIUE) over Hunter Starner (VMI) (MD 12-2)
149: John Fahy (SIUE) over Emmitt Kelly (VMI) (MD 14-6)
157: Neal Richards (VMI) over Erik Travers (SIUE) (MD 17-5)
165: Nate Higgins (SIUE) over Shabaka Johns (VMI) (Dec 9-5)
174: Connor McMahon (SIUE) over Mark Darr (VMI) (Dec 5-4)
184: Derek Nagel (SIUE) over Derek Thurman (VMI) (Fall 4:47)
197: Jake Tindle (SIUE) over Taylor Thomas (VMI) (MD 12-2)
285: Chris Johnson (SIUE) over Urayoan Garcia (VMI) (Fall 2:53)