VMI Athletics

Scoreboard

David Elliott

Wrestling 11/1/2026 9:31:00 PM

Wrestling defeated by Michigan to open 2026-27 season

LEXINGTON, Va. - In front of a packed Cormack Hall, the VMI wrestling team opened the 2026-27 season with a 50-0 defeat to No. 14 Michigan Sunday afternoon in Lexington, Virginia.

The nationally ranked Wolverines set the tone early with two quick pins at 125 and 133 pounds as Henry Aslikyan and Moses Mendoza defeated VMI's Malachi Ortiz and Cody Tanner, respectively, at 125 and 133 pounds.

At 141 pounds, Michigan's Kellen Wolber defeated Phoenix Alyea by an 11-3 major decision before Sergio Lemley earned a tech fall win over VMI's EJ Sheeran at 149 pounds. Michigan's Justin Gates defeated Merritt Clinton by a 19-3 tech fall at 157 before Cameron Catrabone pinned VMI's JT Bowers in the first period.

In the 174 weight class, Michigan's Josh Knudten achieved a 15-4 major decision over Beau Lewis and the Wolverines would go on to earn three straight victories by technical fall in the final three weights of the match.

The Keydets will now prepare to send multiple wrestlers to the Michigan State Open next weekend in Lansing, Michigan.

VMI vs. Michigan
Sunday, November 1, 2026 - Cormack Hall
Lexington, Va.

Michigan 50, VMI 0
125: Henry Aslikyan (MICH) pinned Malachi Ortiz (VMI) , 2:55
133: Moses Mendoza (MICH) pinned Cody Tanner (VMI), 4:45
141: Kellen Wolbert (MICH) maj. dec. Phoenix Alyea (VMI), 11-3
149: Sergio Lemley (MICH) tech fall EJ Sheeran (VMI), 20-4, 5:27
157: Justin Gates (MICH) tech fall Merritt Clinton (VMI), 19-3, 6:04
165: Cameron Catrabone (MICH) pinned JT Bowers (VMI), 1:28
174: Josh Knudten (MICH) maj. dec. Beau Lewis (VMI), 15-4
184: Brock Mantanona (MICH) tech fall Gideon Gerber (VMI), 20-4, 2:38
197: Hayden Walters (MICH) tech fall Toby Schoffstall (VMI), 16-0, 5:56
285: Niko Sahakian (MICH) tech fall Braxton Lewis (VMI), 12-1

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Players Mentioned

Phoenix Alyea: 141; 5' 8"; Senior

JT Bowers: 165; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Gideon Gerber: 184; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Beau Lewis: 174; 5' 10"; Sophomore

Braxton Lewis: 184; 5' 9"; Fifth Year

Malachi Ortiz: 125; 5' 4"; Sophomore

Toby Schoffstall: 197; 6' 2"; Senior

Cody Tanner: 133; 5' 5"; Junior

EJ Sheeran: 141; 5' 10"; Freshman

Merritt Clinton: 165; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Phoenix Alyea
: 5' 8"; Senior
: 141

JT Bowers
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: 165

Gideon Gerber
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: 184

Beau Lewis
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: 174

Braxton Lewis
: 5' 9"; Fifth Year
: 184

Malachi Ortiz
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: 125

Toby Schoffstall
: 6' 2"; Senior
: 197

Cody Tanner
: 5' 5"; Junior
: 133

EJ Sheeran
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: 141

Merritt Clinton
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: 165