SALEM, Va. – Sophomore Braxton Lewis won the title in the 174-pound Freshman/Sophomore Division Saturday as the VMI wrestling team opened the 2023-24 season with an impressive performance at the Southeast Open at Roanoke College's Cregger Center.

Lewis was dominant in his first three matches to reach the title bout, winning two by technical fall and one by pin in just 53 seconds. He defeated his opponent from Chattanooga 12-6 in the championship match.  

Senior Tyler Mousaw placed sixth in the open division at 285 pounds, his first varsity competition since moving up a weight class. He won two matches, one by fall and one by major decision.  

Six other Keydets placed in the freshman/sophomore division, including two at 133 pounds. Dyson Dunham took third, winning three-straight matches to open the day and scoring a 5-3 decision in the third-place match. Austin Zehring finished sixth in the weight class, winning four matches, one by pin.

Eric Doran placed fourth at 149 in the freshman/sophomore bracket, while Ryan Vigil took sixth. Doran won his three matches by pin, technical fall and major decision, while Vigil won four-straight matches and dropped his match for fifth place just 7-6.

Patrick Jordon fell in his first match but rolled through the loser's bracket with five-straight wins, three by pin and one by technical fall, to place fifth at 141 pounds. Toby Schoffstall won his final four matches, the last two by pin, to take fifth at 184 pounds.

Other Notables:

*Wayne Rold won three matches in the freshman/sophomore division at 133 pounds, narrowly missing earning a spot in the sixth-place match after falling to Zehring 11-8 in a bout decided by sudden victory.
*Tyler Berish won three matches at 157 pounds while Caleb Chandler won two.

Next Time:

The Keydets travel to the Navy Quad Meet next Sunday to face Pittsburgh, Navy and Morgan State.