The Keydets (1-2) trailed 12-5 after five matches, with only a technical fall victory by sophomore David Yost putting VMI on the scoreboard. VMI’s comeback began at 165 lbs., where sophomore Matthew Brock, wrestling up a weight class, rode out David Pelsang in both the second and third periods to score a 1-0 win.
Sophomore Andrew Szymborski scored a 9-1 major decision at 174 lbs. to tie the match at 12, before Jonathan Velazquez moved the Bulldogs (0-6) back on top with a 9-3 decision at 184 lbs.
With VMI guaranteed a forfeit win at heavyweight, a win by Keydet junior Ronnie Ellsworth at 197 lbs. would clinch the victory for the hosts. Facing Travis Porter in a rematch from last year’s dual, Ellsworth moved on top 2-0 with a takedown just over two minutes into the match. Porter escaped early in the second period, but Ellsworth did the same early in the third to push the margin to 3-1. Neither wrestler scored again, though Ellsworth netted a bonus point on riding time to make the final score, 4-1. With the match tied, Keydet junior Josh Wine walked out for the heavyweight match and was unopposed, clinching VMI’s 21-15 victory.
“It’s great to get the win, it’s been a while,” said VMI head coach John “Rocky” Trudgeon. “We were really in about every match. I told the guys before the match that I thought we could win every weight. Obviously we didn’t, but we wrestled really hard. Matt Brock had a great win, he did what he had to do. I felt bad for John (Pope), Mike (Long) and Joe (Munno). They all lost tight matches, and Luke (Todd) even had a chance and made one wrong move. We had really been struggling with our confidence, and it’s nice for them to know that they can do it.”
The match began at 125 lbs., where GWU’s Michael Slaughter jumped out to a 9-2 lead through one period. John Pope fought back for VMI, though, cutting the lead to 13-11 in the closing seconds, though his attempts at a final-second takedown came up empty.
Richie Spicel also led 9-2 after three minutes on the mat at 133 lbs. for GWU, though Keydet sophomore Luke Todd rallied to bring the final margin to 9-5. Yost followed at 141 lbs. with his 18-2 major decision to put VMI on the scoreboard, 6-5.
Brothers Ryan and Alex Medved advanced GWU’s lead to 12-5 with a pair of narrow wins. At 149 lbs., VMI senior Michael Long took a 4-2 advantage just before the end of the second period, but Ryan Medved tied the match late in the third period to send it to overtime. In the first sudden victory period, Long nearly scored an early takedown, but Medved countered with two points of his own 40 seconds in to score the 6-4 win. Alex Medved followed with an 11-8 decision over Joe Munno at 157 lbs., giving the Bulldogs their largest lead of the night at 12-5.
VMI returns to action on Dec. 29-30, competing at the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro, N.C.
Results:
125- Michael Slaughter (GWU) dec. John Pope (VMI), 13-11; GWU 3-0
133- Richie Spicel (GWU) dec. Luke Todd (VMI), 9-5; GWU 6-0
141- David Yost (VMI) tech. fall Morgan McDaniel (GWU), 18-2 (6:40); GWU 6-5
149- Ryan Medved (GWU) dec. Michael Long (VMI), 6-4 (SV1); GWU 9-5
157- Alex Medved (GWU) dec. Joe Munno (VMI), 11-8; GWU 12-5
165- Matt Brock (VMI) dec. David Pelsang (GWU), 1-0; GWU 12-8
174- Andrew Szymborski (VMI) maj. dec. Blake Salyer, 9-1; Tied 12-12
184- Jonathan Velazquez (GWU) dec. Evan Dill (VMI), 9-3; GWU 15-12
197 – Ronnie Ellsworth (VMI) dec. Travis Porter (GWU), 4-1; Tied 15-15
285 – Josh Wine (VMI) forfeit; VMI 21-15
Attendance- 479
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