January 13, 2007

HAMPTON, Va. - The Virginia Tech wrestling team was eliminated from competition at the 27^th annual Virginia Duals Saturday morning with a 39-6 loss to Bloomsburg University in the consolation bracket.

The Hokies trailed 27-0 before picking up consecutive wins to get in the scoring column. At 174 pounds, Steve Ratley used an escape, a takedown and a penalty point late to break a 4-4 tie and pick up a 9-5 victory over Andrew Jordan. Steve Borja followed up Ratley's win with a hard-fought, 3-2 victory over Nate Shirk at 184 pounds. Trailing 1-0 going to the final period, Borja escaped to start the period and picked up a takedown with 28 seconds left to take the lead for good.

The rest of the match didn't go as well for the Hokies, who opened with a forfeit at 125 pounds. At 133 pounds, Ricky Donald used a takedown and near fall in the first period to spark him to an 8-2 decision over Sheridan Moran. After Darren Kern pinned Tech's Andre Johnson at 141 pounds, Jon Bonilla-Bowman couldn't quite come back from a 6-2 deficit, falling 7-6 to Matt Moley at 149 pounds. At 157 pounds, Dennis Bermudez pinned Derek Gallagher before Rickey Schmelyun defeated Eric Decker, 7-0, at 165 pounds.

After Tech's two victories, Bloomsburg's PJ Distefano pinned Kevin O'Connor early in the second period at 197 pounds before 20^th-ranked Mike Spaid of Bloomsburg pinned Jim Powers early in the first period of the heavyweight match.

Tech (5-5) will return to action next weekend, hosting Maryland in Tech's ACC opener. The Hokies and Terps will battle on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m., inside of Cassell Coliseum.

Bloomsburg (6-6)      39

Virginia Tech (5-5)    6

125: #10 Mike Sees (B) wins by forfeit

133: Ricky Donald (B) dec. Sheridan Moran, 8-2

141: Darren Kern (B) fall Andre Johnson, 2:16

149: Matt Moley (B) dec. Jon Bonilla-Bowman, 7-6

157: Dennis Bermudez (B) fall Derek Gallagher, 4:45

165: Rickey Schmelyun (B) dec. Eric Decker, 7-0

174: Steve Ratley (VT) dec. Andrew Jordan, 9-5

184: Steve Borja (VT) dec. Nate Shirk, 3-2

197: PJ Distefano (B) fall Kevin O'Connor, 3:40

285: #20 Mike Spaid (B) fall Jim Powers, 0:53