A shorthanded Builder Wrestling squad had a good showing at the Builder Invitational on Sunday, placing 2nd of 7 teams. Averett University captured the team title, followed by Apprentice and another limited squad from Ferrum College in 3rd. All nine entries for Apprentice secured top-six finishes at the event.
Two Builders captured individual titles, with Dillon Messick and Kolin Johnson winning at 125 and 133 lbs respectively.
Messick, a Freshman from Newport News, secured his first collegiate tournament title with a pin over East Carolina and an injury default over teammate Kris Smith. Smith would finish in 2nd place for his first collegiate hardware as a builder, also pinning his ECU opponent.
Johnson, a Junior from King George VA, dominated the field at 133 lbs. The #1 ranked wrestler in the NCWA pinned three opponents in short order, as well as a 16-0 tech fall and a medical forfeit. In his final bout, he would pin #3 ranked Rashun Lawrence of ECU. Kolin was voted the tournaments "Most Outstanding Wrestler" for the second year in a row for his efforts.
After a pair of first-period pins over Ferrum and James Madison, #6 Shalek Colon would fall to #2 ranked Wesley Hollingsworth of ECU 3-1 for a runner-up finish. The two will likely meet again to challenge for a MAC conference title in February.
Freshman Thomas Allison found a narrow 10-8 decision over Ian McIlhenny of Liberty in his first bout, before falling to eventual champion Tatom Tyree of Ferrum in the semi-finals. After another loss to ECU, Allison would medically forfeit to McIlhenny for a 6th place finish.
8th ranked David McElravy placed 3rd at 174 lbs, in one of the most talent-stacked brackets of the event. In his opening bout, he would drop a 3-1 decision to Liberty All-American David Cox, before bouncing back with a close 1-0 decision over Jacob Grady of Ferrum. He would go on to fall a second time this season to Malik Barr who previously beat Gravy in Overtime 3-1. In his final two bouts he would record back-to-back pins over Averett and RPI.
The 2nd seed at 197 lbs, #5 (184) Wes Sorey recorded a pair of pins to advance to the semi-finals. In the semi's he would gut out a 7-2 decision over Liberty's Jesse Redding, before falling to Blake Barrick of Liberty in the Championship bout. Barrick was voted the tournament "Champion of Champions" by the other title-winners.
4th ranked sophomore Russ Pierce finished in 2nd place at 235, falling 5-2 to #7 David Smith of Liberty whom Crust defeated at the National Championships last March. In his remaining bouts, he recorded a pin over JMU and a sudden-victory decision over Alex Hicks of Liberty.
Defending Heavyweight champion, Peter Cortapasso would finish in 4th place, finding two wins by pin on the day. After falling to Averett in the semi-finals, #4 Passo bounced back with a pin before being upset by #8 Thomas Hudson of ECU.
Lady Builder Erin Aragon finally got her first folkstyle action of the season. Liberty and RPI both brought a squad of women for some much-needed mat time. Erin was 3-2 on the day, trading wins with Chelsea Wilson of RPI and another opponent from Liberty. Erin appeared to be on her way to defeat defending 143 lb National Champion Charrisse Manley of Liberty. Leading 6-0 after the opening period, Erin would give up a reversal in the second to lead 6-2 entering the final frame. After three consecutive takedowns from Manley, Erin would be pinned at the buzzer with a tied score of 8-8.
Next up: Apprentice will travel to Lynchburg, VA to compete at the 2020 NCWA National Duals. The Builders will look to top their runner-up finish from last year by topping hosts and defending champions, Liberty University.