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    Appalachian State clinches SoCon title with win over VMI

    BOONE, N.C. -- With a share of the Southern Conference title on the line, Appalachian State University wrestling won in dominating fashion over Virginia Military Institute, 27-9. The Mountaineers (11-3, 6-1 SoCon) won seven of ten matches over the Keydets (3-9, 1-6 SoCon).

    “I thought we came out a little flat tonight. It's one of those matches where it's kind of hard to keep focus with the No. 5 ranked team in the country coming here tomorrow night,” said JohnMark Bentley. “We did a good job getting it done tonight anyway.”

    With the win, the Mountaineers clinched a share of their first Southern Conference regular season title since 2012.

    “Obviously, I am tickled to death that we won a Southern Conference Championship. It's a big deal for our program and our school, so we are very proud of that. Hopefully, we can keep building and finish this year strong.”

    Vito Pasone (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./E.L. Meyers) took on one of the hottest wrestlers in the SoCon in Dalton Henderson who had won his previous 11 matches. Pasone jumped out to a 4-1 advantage after the two periods and hung on for a 4-3 decision win to put the Apps up, 3-0.

    Irvin Enriquez (Aberdeen, N.C./Pinecrest) got the start at 133 pounds and faced Dominick Gallo. After a wild first period Enriquez was on top, 3-2. Gallo tied the match late in the second period and a reversal in the final period gave Gallo a 6-4 decision win.

    Michael Longo (Corona, Calif./Santiago) used a takedown and a three near-falls in the first period to open up a commanding 12-0 lead in the first period. Longo went on to win by a 15-0 technical fall in the second period.

    With the Apps up 8-3, Matt Zovistoski (Paramus, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) took the mat against Emmitt Kelly and opened up a 6-2 lead with one period left. Zovistoski fought off a rally from Kelly to win 8-5.

    David Peters-Logue (Hillsborough, N.C./Orange) took on Neal Richards and was down 6-3 after two periods. Peters-Logue was unable to rally and dropped a 12-5 decision. Apps led 11-6

    Forrest Przybysz (Jefferson, Ga./Jefferson) jumped out to an 8-3 lead over Shabaka Johns through two periods and went on win by the same score. Nick Kee (Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland) enjoyed 12-0 lead in the third period before a late reversal for VMI would end the match at 13-2.

    The 184-pound match started with the Apps up 18-6. Taylor Jackson (Lady Lake, Fla./The Villages) (Rutgers) battled through a low scoring match but fell by 6-0 decision to Derek Thurman. A quick first period takedown gave Randall Diabe (Greensboro, N.C./James B. Dudley) a 2-0 lead in the 197-pound match. Diabe hung on for a 5-3 decision win after a late charge from Taylor Thomas.

    Denzel Dejournette (Winston-Salem, N.C./R.J. Reynolds) came out of the gate quickly to a 10-0 lead in the first period over Tasi Mathias. With just seconds remaining in the period, Dejournette pinned Mathias to cap the 27-9 victory with his fifth pin of the year.

    The Mountaineers will be back in Varsity Gym Tomorrow night for a showdown between ranked opponents. No. 24 App State will welcome No. 5 Missouri to Boone. Match time is set for 6:30 p.m.

    Results:
    125: Vito Pasone (A) def. Dalton Henderson (V) D, 4-3 (App leads 3-0)
    133: Dominick Gallo (V) def. Irvin Enriquez (A) D, 6-4 (Tied 3-3)
    141: Michael Longo (A) def. Hunter Starner (V) TF, 15-0 (App leads 8-3)
    149: Matt Zovistoski (A) def. Emmit Kelly (V) D, 8-5 (App leads 11-3)
    157: Neal Richards (V) def. David Peters-Logue (A) (App leads 11-6)
    165: Forrest Przybysz (A) def. Shabaka Johns (V) D, 8-3 (App leads 14-6)
    174: Nick Kee (A) def. Mark Darr (V) MD, 13-2 (App leads 18-6)
    184: Derek Thurman (V) def. Taylor Jackson (A) D, 6-0 (App leads 18-9)
    197: Randall Diabe (A) def. Taylor Thomas (V) D, 5-3 (App leads 21-9)
    Hwt: Denzel Dejournette (A) pinned Tasi Mathias (V) (Pin 2:58) (App leads 27-9)

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