NEWPORT NEWS - The Apprentice School wrestling team competed in its final regular season event Friday afternoon, hosting East Carolina for Senior Night. AJ Deutel, Russ Pierce and Peter Cortapasso were honored with their escorts prior to the 51-3 win over the Pirates.
After a double forfeit at 125 pounds, Dillon Messick put the first points on the board with his ninth pin of the season as he improved to 24-8 at 133. That was followed by another win from Jordan Robins at 141 pounds with his eighth fall of the season, improving to 23-6. A forfeit for Christian Duke at 149 pounds put the Builders up 18-0.
The 157 pound match was one of the showcase bouts of the evening, pitting a pair of nationally ranked wrestlers from each squad. No. 18 at 157 pounds, Christian Govan of ECU held on to a 7-3 decision over Deutel (No. 14 at 165) to put the only points on the board for ECU.
Freshman David Norris bumped up to 165 pounds, finding his eighth pin of the season. The King George, Virginia, native remains unranked but looks to gain some respect in next polls, having multiple wins over ranked opponents, including a returning All-American.
In another matchup between ranked wrestlers at 174 pounds, Ethan Baker (No. 9 at 165) took on Adam Aldridge (No. 20 at 174). Likely the most exciting and competitive bout of the evening, Aldridge controlled the first half of the bout with an early takedown and heavy top-control in the first period. Baker trailed 5-3 heading into the final period, finding a reversal and takedown of his own to lead 7-6. The bout went into sudden victory with a riding time point, where Baker capitalized with a late takedown for the 9-7 win.
Sophomore Matthew Henson found his eighth pin of the season as well. Henson used double underhooks to secure a huge throw straight into a fall at the 28 second mark.
Caleb Hartung made his first appearance after his descent to 197, finding a pin after two excruciating rounds of attempted rolls and kip-overs. His 14th fall of the season, Caleb leads the team in pinfalls as all but one of his wins have been pins.
Seniors Russ Pierce and Peter Cortapasso both closed out the dual with a pair of pins. Pierce's pin was his 37th of his career. With his win, Cortapasso became only the ninth Builder in school history to surpass 100 career wins. His 64 pins are already third best in school history.
In extra matches after the dual, Landon Kissell, Raya Sessoms and Rhys Carlson each recorded falls, and Drew Porter won a tight 7-5 decision.
The Builders will have a lengthy break prior to the Mid-Atlantic Conference championship, starting February 24 at Liberty.The top six finishers at the MAC will receive an automatic qualifying bid to the National Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico.