LEXINGTON, Va. - One of the most unique venues in all of college wrestling, the Virginia Military Institute squad welcomes in Franklin & Marshall College to The Thunderdome for a Saturday afternoon non-conference match. The sixth meeting all-time with the Diplomats kicks off at 4 p.m. in Cocke Hall.
Fans unable to get to The Thunderdome for Saturday’s match can follow the action through a live scorebook, as well as occasional Tweets from the official Twitter account of VMI athletics, @VMISID.
Ticket prices for Saturday’s contest will be $5 for adults, children under 18 can attend for free, while college students can also attend free of charge with a valid college ID.
Since the 1978-79 season when VMI first offered wrestling scholarships, the Keydets hold control of the all-time series against Franklin & Marshall with four wins against one loss. VMI opened the series with the Diplomats with four straight wins, but F&M edged the Keydets in last season’s meeting, 20-16 in Lancaster, Pa. However, the last time the Diplomats travelled to Lexington, the Keydets stormed back and won the match in the final bout as Andrew Embree, wrestling up a weight class, knocked off Alex Henry 8-3 in the heavyweight division, giving VMI an 18-17 victory in The Thunderdome.
Saturday’s contest will feature a special promotion. Between the 157-pound and the 165-pound bouts, several of VMI’s ROTC programs will compete in a “Battle of the Branches: ROTC Strength Challenge.” This event will pit representatives of the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force ROTC branches in a relay race testing the speed and strength of each competitor. Three cadets that have been chosen by their respective ROTC department will compete in a relay race involving push-ups, sit-ups, and burpees for the title of "Battle of the Branches" Champion.
The 2013-14 home-opener for VMI will also feature a second promotion, Corps Appreciation Night. Cadets attending the event at The Thunderdome will have the chance to enter their names into a raffle for $25 gift cards to Subway. Ten winners will be chosen at the event.
Saturday’s Probable Lineups (Subject to Change)
Wt. VMI Wrestler (Overall Record) vs. F&M Wrestler (Overall Record)
125: Dalton Henderson (2-5) vs. Jason Bing (4-2)
133: Mike Flora (1-5) vs. Robert Ruiz (2-3) or Scott Stevens (3-1)
141: Emmitt Kelly (0-0) vs. Rick Durso (4-0)
149: Shabaka Johns (2-5) vs. Sharron Townsend (4-2)
157: Ted Gottwald (1-5) vs. Andrew Murano (5-1)
165: Mark Darr (1-5) vs. Rob King (1-3)
174: Timmy Davison (0-2) vs. Gordon Bolig (4-1)
184: Hardy Hendren (0-5) vs. Paul Alessandrini (1-3)
197: Andrew Embree (0-3) vs. Chuck Kerkesner (3-3) or Isaiah Cromwell (3-2)
285: Juan Adams (4-3) vs. Alex Henry (5-1)
