Johns Extends Streak, Wrestling Falls 35-3 at UTC

Wrestling VMIKeydets.com

Johns Extends Streak, Wrestling Falls 35-3 at UTC

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Following a pair of wins Friday, the Virginia Military Institute wrestling team headed to four-time defending Southern Conference champion University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The run of SoCon wins was halted for the Keydets as VMI fell 35-3 Sunday afternoon at Maclellan Gym.

Shabaka Johns was the lone victor for VMI, continuing a strong run of victories for the sophomore from Indianapolis. The Mocs (9-5, 4-0) collected wins in nine of the 10 bouts, with Johns scoring the only team points for VMI.

But despite the one-sided score, VMI battled against the Mocs, falling by decision in four of the bouts, including a pair by three points or less.

The Keydets (6-6, 3-2 SoCon) gave up bonus points in the early matches before settling down in the second half of the afternoon. VMI was held off the board until 165 pounds when Johns extended his winning streak to eight, topping the Mocs' Justin Lampe by a narrow 2-1 score. The bout was scoreless through the first two periods before Johns hit a takedown in the third. Lampe escaped but could not score more points, helping Johns improve to 4-1 in SoCon duals.

At 141 pounds, Emmitt Kelly was nipped by a 3-0 decision against Michael Pongracz. After a scoreless first period, Pongracz logged a takedown to go up 2-0. Kelly started the third round on top, but the Moc escaped before Kelly could earn enough riding time or back points, with Pongracz winning 3-0.

The final bout at 285 pounds was a tight match between VMI's Juan Adams and Chattanooga's Jared Johnson, who scored six points in the first round on two takedowns and a pair of near fall points. Adams earned an escape to make it 6-1 through the first three minutes. It was Adams' turn for two takedowns in the second period, with Johnson escaping once, ending the second period with the Moc leading 7-5. Johnson began the third on bottom, escaping, but was soon taken back to the mat by Adams. Johnson escaped once more for a 9-7 win.

VMI returns to The Thunderdome for its next match on Feb. 5 as the Keydets host Southern Conference rival The Citadel at Cocke Hall. Action for the 61st meeting all-time between the programs is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed live and free on the Southern Conference Digital Network.

Sunday January 25, 2015 - at Chattanooga (SoCon Dual)
Maclellan Gym - Chattanooga, Tenn.
Chattanooga 35, VMI 5
Wt. Winner Dec Type Loser Score (VMI-UTC)
125: No. 12 Sean Boyle (UTC) MAJ DEC Dalton Henderson (VMI) 20-6 (0-4)
133: No. 12 Nick Soto (UTC) Wins by Forfeit (0-10)
141: Michael Pongracz (UTC) DEC Emmitt Kelly (VMI) 3-0 (0-13)
149: Jacob Murphy (UTC) DEC Jack Krall (VMI) 7-2 (0-16)
157: Austin Sams (UTC) TECH FALL Sam Paulay (VMI) 19-3 (6:06) (0-21)
165: Shabaka Johns (VMI) DEC Justin Lampe (UTC) 2-1 (3-21)
174: Sean Mappes (UTC) MAJ DEC Mark Darr (VMI) 13-2 (3-25)
184: John Shrader (UTC) DEC 5-0 Derek Thurman (VMI) 5-0 (3-28)
197: Scottie Boykin (UTC) MAJ DEC Urayoan Garcia (VMI) 14-5 (3-32)
285: Jared Johnson (UTC) DEC Juan Adams (VMI) 9-7 (3-35)
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Juan Adams

Juan Adams

Redshirt Senior
Mark Darr

Mark Darr

Junior
Urayoan Garcia

Urayoan Garcia

Redshirt Junior
Dalton Henderson

Dalton Henderson

Sophomore
Shabaka Johns

Shabaka Johns

Sophomore
Emmitt Kelly

Emmitt Kelly

Junior
Jack Krall

Jack Krall

Freshman
Sam Paulay

Sam Paulay

Freshman
Derek Thurman

Derek Thurman

Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Juan Adams

Juan Adams

Redshirt Senior
Mark Darr

Mark Darr

Junior
Urayoan Garcia

Urayoan Garcia

Redshirt Junior
Dalton Henderson

Dalton Henderson

Sophomore
Shabaka Johns

Shabaka Johns

Sophomore
Emmitt Kelly

Emmitt Kelly

Junior
Jack Krall

Jack Krall

Freshman
Sam Paulay

Sam Paulay

Freshman
Derek Thurman

Derek Thurman

Redshirt Sophomore