DANVILLE, Va. - The Apprentice School wrestling squad improved to 5-3 on the season with a runner-up finish at the Cougar Duals hosted by Averett University. 

 

Apprentice would advance to the championship by winning their pool consisting of Southwest Virginia CC, James Madison, Allen University and Averett's B squad.

 

In the first dual, Apprentice would beat a shorthanded lineup from SWVACC, 53-5, winning two of only three contested weights. Gloucester freshmen Ethan Baker (165) and Josh Seaton (174) recorded a pin and a technical fall respectively. 

 

In round two, the Builders defeated another abbreviated lineup from James Madison, 52-6, winning five of six contested weights. After a narrow 3-0 decision from Dillon Messick at 133, Zach Ortega would record a second period pin. At 157, freshman David Norris had a 20-7 major decision followed by a pin from Seaton at 174. In a match of ranked wrestlers at 184 lbs, No. 7 David McElravy defeated No. 10 Aaron Whear by a narrow 5-3 decision. 

 

The third round saw Apprentice stop a full lineup from the Averett B squad, 39-6. Messick would find a 7-3 decision, followed by falls from Jordan Robins (149), David Norris (157) and a tech fall from Ortega (149). After another pin from Seaton at 174, McElravy would avenge his only loss of the season with a second period pin. Sophomore Matthew Henson bumped up to 197 securing a 13-4 major decision. Senior Russ Pierce would win the final bout at heavyweight, 7-0.

 

After a bye round, they would defeat conference rivals Allen University, 45-6, to advance to the championship dual. Caleb Olgers (125), Dillon Messick (133), Jordan Robins (141), Ethan Baker (165), Josh Seaton (174) and Matthew Henson (197) all recorded pins good for six points apiece.

 

Apprentice would fall to Averett's A team, 32-9, in the final dual. Robins and Norris would be the only Builders to win with a pin and a 7-6 decision, respectively. 

 

Next up, the wrestling will travel to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to compete in the Wilkes Open December 22, which has been dubbed the "Rose Bowl of Wrestling."