The Builder wrestling squad was in Philadelphia Saturday, picking up three NCWA dual wins at Temple University.
In the first dual against Rowan University Apprentice would go up 24-0 after consecutive pins from Bruno Alves (125), Dillon Messick (133), Raekwon Jackson (141) and Zach Ortega (149). Rowan would pick up four points with a major decision at 157, followed by a pin and a major decision from AJ Deutel and Matthew Henson who extended the lead 34-4. Rowan would win three of the remaining four bouts, while Russ Pierce found another pin at 235 lbs for a final team score of 40-17 Apprentice. Freshman Rickey Abercrombie and senior William Heath both recorded pins with extra matches after the dual.
In their second dual, the Builders would win six of seven contested bouts over an abbreviated lineup from Temple to win 57-3. After forfeits at 125 and 133, Jackson and Ortega found two more pins at 141/149. A 7-3 decision from Senior Darek Dabbs would put Apprentice ahead 27-0. Temple would find a decision at 174 following another forfeit at 165 to pick up 3 points for the Owls. Apprentice picked up three more consecutive pins from Andrew Edens (184), Billy Ott (197) and Russ Pierce (235) followed by another forfeit at heavyweight.
The final dual of the day was a tightly contested win over Penn State University Club. Alves continued his dominance over the division at 125 lbs, recording a 16-0 tech fall. After a pair of forfeits at 133/141, Penn State would get on the scoreboard with a decision at 149. Darek Dabbs answered with a 21-6 tech fall at 157 to extend the lead 22-3. The Nittany Lions took the lead 27-22 with a pin at 165, forfeits at 174/184, and another pin at 197. Russ pierce would seal the win with another pin at 235, as Penn State had no heavyweight entry. Final team score 34-27.
Highlights;
· Bruno Alves was 3-0 on the day with a pin and tech fall. He is now 14-1 on the season, undefeated in dual action (10-0) and against NCWA opposition (8-0).
· Messick was 3-0 with a pin. He is now 21-5 on the season, and 10-1 against NCWA opponents.
· Jackson was 3-0 with 2 pins, 10-2 against NCWA.
· Russ Pierce was 3-0 with all pins, putting his career total at 30.
Next Up; The Builders will take next weekend off to prepare for the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships at Liberty University February 27.