LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Apprentice School wrestling team finished in second place at the NCWA Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships once again Saturday, crowning three individual champions in the process. Host Liberty University claimed the team title with 229 points, followed by the Builders with 187.5. Third was Allen University and fourth was Virginia Tech Wrestling Club with 123.5 and 110 points, respectively.
On the day, 16 Builders placing top six received automatic qualifying bids to the NCWA National Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico in two weeks. With alternates and wildcard berths, a total of 20 Builders will be competing at nationals.
The lightweights once again led the way for the team, as Bruno Alves (125), Dillon Messick (133) and Jordan Robins (141) were each crowned conference champion at their respective weights.
Alves was largely unchallenged in the 125-pound bracket, claiming his second consecutive MAC title. He advanced to the finals with a quick pin and a 16-0 tech fall to set up a rematch of the 2022 national finals against Dante Mininno of Liberty. However, Mininno would concede via forfeit. Alves is now 14-4 on the season, all but two of his wins have come with bonus points.
At 133, Messick would also claim his second MAC Championship, defeating Andrew Holladay from the resurgent Virginia Tech WC. Holladay would control the majority of the first period, leading 6-5 after three minutes of scrambling. Messick poured on an exhausting pace to wear down Holladay to find a pin at the 5:28 mark. On his way to the finals, he recorded a 9-0 major decision and another come from behind pin in the semifinals. He was selected the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler for his efforts and is now 27-8 on the season with 17 bonus wins.
After finishing second at 149 pounds in 2022, Robins claimed his first MAC gold by winning the 141 bracket in dominant fashion. After a first round bye, he recorded a second period pin in his semi-final, followed by a 17-2 tech fall over Grant Brammer of Liberty in the finals. Robins is now 25-6 on the season, with 15 bonus point wins.
Both Lady Builders were second in their respective weights to mark the first time Apprentice will be sending multiple women to the national tournament. Sydnie Dunham was second at 130 pounds, finding one pin on the day, while Raya Sessoms was second at 170, also with a pin.
Caleb Olgers was fourth at 125 pounds in his first MAC tournament, receiving an automatic bid for nationals. After a pin in the quarter-finals, Olgers appeared to be on his way to an upset victory over Mininno with a 5-5 score heading into the third period before conceding 11 points in the last two minutes. Olgers earned a decision win in the consolation semis before losing his final bout to Liberty.
At 133, sophomore Drew Porter secured his first nationals berth with an automatic qualifying sixth place finish. Porter found a pin in his opening bout and won a back-and-forth decision over South Carolina to secure his top six finish.
At 149 pounds, Zach Ortega was second with a pair of pins, and freshman Christian Duke was eighth with a 16-1 tech fall. Ortega fell to Charlie Hudson of Liberty in the finals. After getting down 6-0 in an early scramble, Hudson stifled Ortega's offense with a comfortable lead.
Freshman David Norris was 3-2 at 157 pounds to finish fifth with two pins and a decision qualifying for his first nationals. AJ Deutel won his first bout via pin over Clemson before medically defaulting out of the tournament, but he received a wildcard berth to his third national tournament.
Both Builders qualified at 165 pounds with Ethan Baker and Landon Kissell placing second and third, respectively, both falling to returning national finalist David Over of Liberty by decision. Baker was 3-1 with a pin and major decision, and Kissell was 4-1 with a major and a pin.
Freshman Rhys Carlson placed eighth at 174 pounds winning two bouts, one being an 11-0 major decision. Fellow freshman Josh Seaton was 1-2 after an extended layoff from injury. Both will be participating at the national tournament with wildcard berths.
Sophomore Matthew Henson was 2-2 at 184 pounds to finish fifth, qualifying for his second nationals. Trailing 5-2 in the final period of his opening bout, Henson reeled off 11 straight points to win a 13-6 decision over South Carolina.
At 197 pounds, Caleb Hartung was third with a pair of pins and a 17-1 tech fall, only losing a narrow 6-5 decision in his semifinal. Garrison Champigny won his opening bout via pin over the eventual seventh place. Champigny will be an alternate for Nationals.
Big men Russ Pierce (235) and Peter Cortapasso (HWT) both advanced to the finals, setting up rematches from the 2022 national championship finals. Both fell to defending national champs from Liberty via close decisions. Both were 2-1 with pins in the first round. Freshman DJ Uribes was fifth at heavyweight with a pair of pins over JMU to qualify for his first national tournament.
The wrestling squad will next fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the NCWA National Championships March 9-11.