HAMPTON, VA. – The Apprentice School wrestling team took to action on Friday in the Virginia Duals and lost three matches in the 33rd annual event.
In the opening match they faced second-seeded Nassau Community College, who entered as the defending National Junior College Athletic Association National Champions, and lost 43-0.
The first consolation match pitted them against rival University of Central Florida where they lost 25-24. Apprentice School got wins by fall from Ty Ford (125/3:52) Phillip Porto (157/3:49) and a decision by Justin Martz (184/6-3) to trail 25-15 heading into the last two matches. Luke Hanson won at 235 by a 6-5 decision and Ian Jones scored a forfeit win at 285, but that only brought the Builders to 25-24.
In their guaranteed third match in the event, the Builders lost another close match to Anderson University (SC) 28-25. Apprentice School got wins by Ford (125/17-8), Kyle Spruill (149/forfeit), Odis Wesby (174/7-1) and falls from Josh Rodriguez (235/2:10) and Jones (285/:37) but fell in another tight match to put their record now at 9-5.
The Builders will now participate in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association National Duals on January 18-19 in Dalton, Georgia.