NEWPORT NEWS, VA. – The Apprentice School wrestling team rode the strength of four individual champions and took home team championship honors in the 31st annual Builder Invitational on Saturday.
The Builders scored 121 points to outdistance University of Maryland Baltimore County and University of Central Florida who had 79.5 points. Scranton finished fourth with 50 points in the 15 school event. This marked the first time the Builders have repeated as tournament champions in the history of the event.
Junior Ricky Anderson won the 157 pound weight class going 4-0 in the event with three of those wins by fall. He opened with a win in 2:10 over Joe Buckman of Scranton then pinned Billy Kuczarski of UMBC in 1:12. His semifinal match was his third straight win by fall in 21 seconds over Eric Albrecht of William & Mary. The final went the distance as he scored an 11-1 major decision over Joel Hutchens of VMI. Those wins raised his record to 31-4 on the year and he was named the Champion of Champions for the event.
Steven Ours went 3-0 at 174 pounds to win that title. His opening match was a win by fall in 3:49 over Nathan Iseman of VMI and he advanced to the finals with a 13-9 win over Matthew Terry of Scranton. The championship match was a 4-0 decision over top-seeded Nick Christian of Central Florida. Those wins raised his record to 22-10 on the year.
Willie Crawford took home individual honors at 184 pounds winning three matches en route to the title. After a first-round bye, he pinned Steve Neshawat of UMBC in 45 seconds before scoring a 14-4 major decision over Mike Garvis of Longwood. In the final he defeated Eldar Muradov of UMBC 7-5. Those wins raised his record to 19-4 on the year.
Sophomore Jeremy Diley won the heavyweight title with a pair of wins by fall. After a first-round bye he defeated Jake Powell of Central Florida in 1:51. For the title he pinned Luke Genovese of Scranton in 1:49. Those wins raised his record to 19-11 on the year.
Junior BJ Compton went 3-1 at 149 pounds to take second place, while Ty Ford was 2-1 at 125 pounds to also take second. Finishing third was junior Marcus Chevres at 133 pounds (4-1) and sophomore Kevin Gray at 235 pounds (3-1 with three falls).
The Builders now travel to Dalton, Ga. to participate in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association National Duals on January 28-29.
