BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Getting back into Southern Conference action, the VMI wrestling team fell by a 29-13 score to host Gardner-Webb Friday night at Paul Porter Arena in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
The Keydets (0-4, 0-2 SoCon) jumped to a quick 10-0 lead after two bouts as senior Dalton Henderson (125) earned a major decision and junior Michael Hulcher (133) pinned his opponent to provide VMI some momentum to start the match. Henderson improved to 11-5 on the year with his win while Hulcher made a strong impression in his first ever dual competition as a Keydet.
“Today we looked like a different team compared to last week,” said VMI head coach Chris Skretkowicz. “We fought hard and wrestled with passion. We are looking to replicate this week of training as we move forward in the season.”
The progression was short-lived, however, as the Bulldogs (3-2, 1-0 SoCon) earned pins at 141 and 149 pounds to take the lead at 12-10 with six bouts remaining. VMI's top wrestler, 157-pound Neal Richards, retook the lead for VMI following a 6-4 sudden victory decision over Ryan Mosley to give the Keydets their final lead of the match at 13-12.
Gardner-Webb would go on to claim the final five bouts to seal the win. Bulldog 165-pounder Tyler Marinelli, ranked No. 12 in the nation, took a 10-4 decision over VMI's Blake Hohman before teammate Austin Trott made a statement with a 15-0 tech fall over VMI senior Shabaka Johns in 5:10.
The Bulldogs then earned the final three bouts with decision victories en route to the 29-13 victory.
The match marked the final competition for the Keydets during the 2016 calendar year as the team will focus on final examinations before breaking for Christmas Furlough.
The Keydets return to action Jan. 1-2 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where several team members will compete in the prestigious Southern Scuffle hosted by UT Chattanooga.
GARDNER-WEBB 29, VMI 13
125: Dalton Henderson (VMI) major dec. Landon LoAlbo (GWU) – 12-1
133: Michael Hulcher (VMI) pinned Philip Anderson (GWU) – (2:23)
141: Ryan Hull (GWU) pinned Darren Ostrander (VMI) – (8:42)
149: Chris Vassar (GWU) pinned Stevan Smith (VMI) – (2:05)
157: Neal Richards (VMI) dec. Ryan Mosley (GWU) – 6-4 (SV-3)
165: #12 Tyler Marinelli (GWU) dec. Blake Hohman (VMI) – 10-4
174: Austin Trott (GWU) tech. fall Shabaka Johns (VMI) – 15-0 (5:10)
184: #19 Hunter Gamble (GWU) dec. Christopher Beck (VMI) – 8-1
197: Payton Mills (GWU) dec. Taylor Thomas (VMI) – 8-5
285: #21 Boyce Cornwell (GWU) dec. Sam Bouis (VMI) – 5-3
Records: Gardner-Webb (3-2, 1-0 SoCon); VMI (0-4, 0-2 SoCon)
