VMI Athletics

2015-16: Earned a 6-17 overall record for the year, including a 3-9 dual record and 3-8 mark in tournament competition … went 2-5 in Southern Conference action … achieved one major decision and one technical fall during the season … logged nine dual points for the team on the year … accounted for six of VMI’s seven wins at 184 pounds during the season … at the Hokie Open, earned an 8-0 major decision over Gardner-Webb’s Andy Bennett and later on a 17-2 tech fall over Notre Dame College’s Albert Bryant … in the first ever dual held at Cormack Hall on post, achieved a 7-2 decision over Franklin & Marshall’s Anthony Mancini … pulled out a 4-3 decision over Davidson’s Konner Pritchard on Feb. 3 to help preserve a VMI shutout … registered a 6-0 decision over Appalachian State’s Taylor Jackson in the final SoCon dual of the season ... earned a Distinguished in Academic Merit honor from the Institute for the 2015-16 academic year ... Dean's List recipient both semesters ... named to the Cadet-Athlete Honors Society ... SoCon Honor Roll.

2014-15: At 174 pounds, earned a 10-12 overall record for the season, including a 6-4 dual record and 5-5 mark in SoCon matches … went 4-8 in tournament bouts … registered two victories by fall on the year and two major decision wins … placed fourth at the SoCon Championships with a 4-3 decision over SIU-Edwardsville’s Derek Nagel and a victory by fall over Appalachian State’s Dominick Vettel in 5:46 … won three straight matches to open duals play with decision victories over Anthony Mancini (Franklin & Marshall), Elliot Antler (Sacred Heart) and Michael Mocco (Harvard) … defeated Derek Nagel for the first time in a dual on Jan. 23 by a 7-6 decision … earned a 10-2 major decision over The Citadel’s Kendall Hemmings … at the All-Academy Championships, picked up a 12-3 major decision over Coast Guard’s Dan Fiorvanti … closed the regular season with a 9-6 decision over Appalachian State’s Marcus Johnson ... named to the Cadet-Athlete Scholar Society following spring semester for posting at least a 3.0 GPA for the term ... also named to Dean's List spring semester.

2013-14: Went 3-13 during his redshirt freshman season … went 1-7 in dual matches at 174 pounds … competed at 184 pounds against Drexel at the Hoosier Duals … competed at the SoCon Championships in Buies Creek, N.C.

2012-13: Took a medical redshirt after suffering a season-ending injury.

High School: Four-year letter winner for Don Shuler at Brookville High School in nearby Lynchburg … was the district and regional champion in 10th grade, claiming seventh at the state meet at 160 pounds … won his second district and regional titles in his junior year at 171 pounds, finishing as a runner-up in the state meet … once again won the district and regional meets, this time at 182 pounds while also claiming the state title, capping his senior season with a 45-0 record … won the St. Christopher’s Tournament, Big Orange Tournament, and the East Coast Classic … played soccer for three years and was named second team All-District as a sophomore and first team All-District as a junior ... also a member of the Central Virginia United Soccer Club, playing since he was 11.

Personal: Full name is Derek Ryan Thurman … son of David and Julia Thurman … has an older sister, Kelcey … mother, Julia, was a member of the track and field team at Liberty … planning on majoring in both psychology and philosophy.