BOONE, N.C. - Through the first five matches of the night, the Virginia Military Institute wrestling team trailed by just four points, but a late run by Southern Conference foe Appalachian State University won the final five matches of the night to claim a 30-7 win.
Despite the spread of points, two of the late matches were decided by a combined five points, including one that came down to riding time.
The match that started off at 197 pounds with VMI (3-13, 1-4 SoCon) trotting out Andrew Embree against App State's Tyler Radford. The Keydet scored a second period takedown but it was not enough as Embree fell 5-2.
VMI got its first win of the night at Varsity Gymnasium from heavyweight Juan Adams. The big man took the match in dominating fashion with a 16-7 major decision over Denzel Dejournette. The Adams win gave VMI a 4-3 lead just two matches in.
But Appalachian State rebounded at 125 pounds as VMI's Dalton Henderson fell by a 13-1 major decision against Dominic Parisi. The Mountaineers got a second major decision at 133 pounds as William Johnson surpassed Michael Flora 11-2, putting App State up 11-4.
The Keydets themselves rebounded at 141 pounds as Emmitt Kelly scored a 6-2 decision over Jake Smith, pulling VMI within four points of the Appalachian State lead. In the next bout at 149 pounds, Shabaka Johns suffered a narrow 3-2 loss against Dyllan Cottrell, pushing Appalachian State's lead to 14-7.
A big heartbreaker was at 157 pounds as Keydet Ted Gottwald tied the match 5-5 with 57 seconds left. But after he and Nick Hall traded takedowns in the first and second period, Hall scored an escape and a takedown to go up 5-4 before the Gottwald escape. However, Hall amassed 2:38 of riding time to take a 6-5 win with the bonus point.
But Appalachian State won the final four bouts, including bonus points, two major decisions and a win by fall, in the last three.
The Keydets head to Charleston, S.C. to take on military college rival The Citadel on Sunday. The match is scheduled for 2 p.m. at McAlister Field House. However, there is a chance the match will be moved to The Citadel's Barracks.
Friday Feb. 7, 2014 - VMI at Appalachian State - Varsity Gymnasium - Boone, N.C.
Appalachian State 30, VMI 7
Wt. Winner (School) Decision Type Loser (School) Bout Score (Running Score VMI-ASU)
197: Taylor Radford (ASU) DEC Andrew Embree (VMI) 5-2 (0-3)
285: Juan Adams (VMI) MAJ DEC Denzel Dejournette (ASU) 16-7 (4-3)
125: Dominic Parisi (ASU) MAJ DEC Dalton Henderson (VMI) 13-1 (4-7)
133: William Johnson (ASU) MAJ DEC Michael Flora (VMI) 11-2 (4-11)
141: Emmitt Kelly (VMI) DEC Jake Smith (ASU) 6-2 (7-11)
149: Dyllan Cottrell (ASU) DEC Shabaka Johns (VMI) 3-1 (7-14)
157: Nick Hall (ASU) DEC Ted Gottwald (VMI) 6-5 (7-17)
165: Zachary Strickland (ASU) DEC Mark Darr (VMI) 6-2 (7-20)
174: Adrian Soto-Perez (ASU) MAJ DEC Jake Koch (VMI) 17-6 (7-24)
184: Dominick Vetell (ASU) WBF Hardy Hendren (VMI) :34 (7-30)
