HAMPTON, Va. - The Apprentice School wrestling squad competed in the 42nd Annual Virginia Duals this weekend, finishing in ninth place overall while winning the Bronze bracket.

 

Friday saw the Builders drop a pair of duals in the Hampton River pool, falling to eventual champion Glenville State and Johns Hopkins. 

 

Bonus points were key in the 27-24 loss to Johns Hopkins with both teams winning five bouts each. The Blue Jays found pins in four of those wins to secure the win. Apprentice went up 15-0 early with pins from Bruno Alves (125) and Jordan Robins (141), as well as a clutch 5-3 decision for Dillon Messick (133). Johns Hopkins then won five straight bouts to take the lead 27-15. A decision from Matthew Henson and a pin from Peter Cortapasso in the final two bouts were not enough to secure the comeback win.

 

In round two, NCAA Division II No. 12 Glenville State was dominant from start to finish against Apprentice, only conceding 12 points via forfeit at 149 and 157. Glenville State went on to win the American College division in their first trip to the tournament.

 

The Builders were able to have a strong finish Saturday after dropping to the Bronze bracket, which featured all four teams that finished third in their respective pools. A reinvigorated Apprentice squad would record a pair of dominant wins over Davis & Elkins (42-12) and Camden County Community College (39-14).

 

Against Davis & Elkins, the Builders picked up forfeits at 133, 149, 157 and 174. Alves started the dual with a 7-0 decision at 125 followed by another first period pin for Robins at 125. Freshman Ethan Baker extended the lead 30-0 with 6-4 decision at 165 before Elkins responded with a pair of pins at 184 and 197. Caleb Hartung closed out the dual at heavyweight with a second period fall.

 

The final dual had the Builders stop 15th ranked junior college Camden County for ninth place. Apprentice again got up 15-0 with pins from Alves and Messick, as well as a 8-3 decision for Robins. After a loss at 149, freshman David Norris recorded a late pin at 157, followed by a forfeit at 165. Baker found his second win on the day, bumping up to 174 and finding first period pin. Henson got the final win for Apprentice at 197 with a first period pin. 

 

Apprentice will next host the Builder Invitational for the first time in three seasons at Kellam High School on Sunday, January 22.