The Builders began their dual meet schedule on a high note, recording wins over first year program Southwest Virginia Community College (41-6) and Washington & Lee (28-15).
Builders would not lose a bout in the opening dual, only surrendering 6 points to SWVACC by way of forfeit. Apprentice recorded four pins and a pair of major-decisions.
In the second dual of the day, Apprentice would win 7 of 9 contested bouts over Washington & Lee, forfeiting six team points at 184 lbs. Trailing 6-9 after 149 lbs, a pin from William Heath at 157 lifted the Builders within striking distance. Wins from a pair of freshmen middleweights kept the ball rolling as AJ Deutel hung on to a gritty 8-7 decision at 165, followed by a 4-0 decision from David McElravy at 174. A major decision from Wes Sorey at 197 would seal the team victory, capped off by another pin from heavyweight Peter Cortapasso.
On Sunday, Apprentice went on to place 6th of 13 teams in the largely NCAA DIII event. Otterbein University ran away with the team title with 160.5 team points. The Builders were 6th with 91.5 with Washington & Lee finishing in 8th with 62.
Upper-Classman Shalek Colon had the highlight performance for the team again, securing the lone finals berth for the Builders. Shalek advanced to the finals with a 15-5 major-decision over Ferrum, followed by a first period pin over W&L and a 23 second pin over Elizabethtown in the semi-finals. In the finals, Shalek dropped a hard-fought 4-1 decision to Brandon Woody of Averett University.
Apprentice had three more top-five finishes at the event, with freshman Dillon Messick placing 3rd at 125 lbs, Kolin Johnson 5th at 133, and David McElravy 5th at 174.
Dillon advanced to the semi-finals after a first round pin over Otterbein, followed by a forfeit. After a semi-final loss, he received another forfeit in the consolation finals for bronze.
After a first period pin in a preliminary bout, Johnson dropped a narrow decision to eventual champion Jackson Lakso of Otterbein. Kolin would rally back with four straight wins, including two pins and a tech fall, to finish in 5th as only semi-finalists could contend for 3rd place.
McElravy would record a pin in his first bout over Elizabethtown before dropping an overtime decision to Ferrum in the quarter-final. Gravy bounced back with three straight wins, including two falls. He is now 8-3 on the season, tied with Colon with the most pins at 5.
Other notable performances;
141 lbs; Freshman Thomas Allison was 2-1 on the day with a major decision before medically forfeiting his fourth bout.
165 lbs; Freshman Alec Deutel was 2-1 before forfeiting out with a major decision over W&L.
197 lbs; Senior William Sorey was also 2-1 before forfeiting out with a pin and a major decision.
Sophomore HWT Peter Cortapasso was 2-2 with two decisions.
NEXT FOR THE BUILDERS:
Apprentice will host Queens University of Charlotte in a dual meet at the new Apprentice School Wednesday Nov 20 at 4 PM