The Builder wrestling squad kicked off its 2019-2020 season in Collegeville, PA Saturday to compete at the Ursinus Fall Brawl. Five Builders advanced to the semi-finals, but none were able to secure berths to the championship bout. Apprentice was led by returners Colton Messick and Shalek Colon, both placing 3rd at 125 and 141 lbs respectively.
After dropping his opening bout to Brent Lorin of Johns Hopkins in overtime, Messick bounced back with two decisions to advance to the 3rd place bout bagging his 100th career win in the process. In the consolation finals Messick found some redemption, pinning Lorin in 46 seconds for bronze.
Colon looked his old self after an injury cut his last season short, advancing to the semi-finals with a 2nd period pin over Worcester Polytech. After dropping a major-decision to the Naval Prep Academy, Shalek bounced back with a pair of first period falls for bronze as well.
Sophomore Raekwon Jackson advanced to the semi-finals at 133 lbs with a pair of impressive wins. In his opening bout, Ray Ray grinded out a 10-6 decision of 7th ranked Manuel Canfjin of West Chester followed by a 16-3 major decision over host Ursinus. Jackson would drop his next two bouts to be eliminated from placement.
Senior Wes Sorey recorded a pin and a decision for a spot in the semi-finals at 197 lbs before dropping a 3-2 decision to Anthony Burburija of Navy Prep. Wes found another pin before dropping another close 6-4 decision in the consolation finals for a 4th place finish.
The four new additions to the roster impressed with their performance in their first collegiate action. Freshmen AJ Deutel and David McElravy both advanced to the semi-finals at 165 and 174 lbs, while Dillon Messick and Thomas Allison both recorded dominant wins.
Deutel advanced to the semi-finals with a 5-0 decision over Rudy Rodriguez of Navy Prep before falling to the consolation bracket. He rebounded with a second period pin over Anthony Colasurdo of West Chester before losing a 4-1 decision to finish in 4th place.
McElravy recorded a major-decision and a first period pin on his way to the semis. Tied 2-2 with riding time in his favor, Gravy would give up a late takedown in the closing seconds to lose a 4-3 decision to 2018 3rd place All-American Joe Scott of in-state rival Liberty University. He would go on to lose another close bout 5-3 in the final 30 seconds to Johns Hopkins to be eliminated.
After dropping his opening bout, the younger Messick would recover with a 7-0 win over Liberty, and a second period pin over host Ursinus. Also losing his opening bout, Allison recorded a dominant 20-2 technical fall over Thaddeus Stevens College for his first collegiate win before dropping a close 5-4 decision to Elizabethtown.
Next Up; The Builders will travel to Roanoke, VA to wrestle in the Southeast Duals and the Star City Open Nov 16&17 at the Salem Civic Center hosted by Ferrum College.