The Builder Wrestling squad had a successful weekend at the Star City Tournament in Salem, VA hosted by Ferrum College. Apprentice placed 5th of 13 teams in the largely NCAA DIII tournament. Otterbein University of Ohio won the event with 137 points, crowning three individual champions.
Three Builders advanced to the championship finals as Kolin Johnson, Chad Simmons, and Steven Francisco each finished in 2nd place at 133, 165, and 285 lbs respectively. Four other Builders placed in the top six as only losers of the semi-finals matches were eligible to wrestle for 3rd place as to not violate the six match per day rule.
After receiving a first round bye, Johnson recorded a first period pin, a 9-0 major decision, and a first period pin to advance to the finals. In the finals, Kolin lost a 12-4 major decision to Charlie Cunningham of Washington & Lee 12-4. Kolin is now 8-4 on the season with 7 pins. He is tied with most pins and most bonus points on the team.
Also receiving a first round bye, Simmons rattled off two technical falls followed by a third period pin to advance to the finals. Chad suffered his first defeat of the season in the championship bout, being pinned by Averett freshman Jared Lough in the third period. He is now 10-1 on the season and leads the team with most wins and is tied with Johnson for most bonus wins. Chad has now entered the top-ten Apprentice School career wins records with 93, surpassing alumni Justin Gilliard, Ron Vecchione and Eric Lybarger all tied with 92 wins.
Senior heavyweight Steven Francisco had one of his best performances to date, recording four straight wins to advance to the finals where he would lose to Drew Kasper of Otterbein 15-0. In the quarter-finals, Frankie would upset #2 seed Clay Chadwick of W&L 7-2, and would hold on to a hard fought 9-8 victory over Tyrique Nolen of host Ferrum. He is now 6-2 on the season and has yet to finish below 2nd place in tournament action.
Other notable performances:
Senior Colton Messick placed 3rd at 125 lbs going 3-1 only losing a 6-5 decision in the semi-final. He recorded a 17-1 tech fall in the 3rd place bout.
Freshman Matthew Farrar was 2-2 at 133 lbs to place top-8, recording two pins.
Freshman Trey Templeton was 2-2 at 141 lbs with a pin and a major decision.
Two builders advanced to the 5th place bout at 149 lbs, but both William Heath and Tyler Johnson had reached there 6 match maximum limit. Johnson was 5-1 on the day recording three pins and a major decision, only losing to the eventual champion from Elizabethtown in his 2nd bout. Heath was also 5-1 with 4 pins.
Tyler Allen was 2-2 at 157 lbs in his first competition of the season wich included a first period pin.
Jeremy Mosely was 3-2 at 174 lbs, also his first action this season. He recorded two first period pins.
Heavyweight freshman Peter Cortapasso placed 5th going 5-1, his only loss was also to eventual champion Kasper of Otterbein. Passo recorded three first period pins and received a forfeit in the 5th place bout, as his opponent had reached his 6 match limit.
NEXT UP: The Wrestlers will hop straight back on the bus this evening to leave for Charlotte, NC where they will see their first dual-meet action of the season against host Queens University of Charlotte and Belmont Abbey on Tuesday afternoon.
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