January 28, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. - Despite upset victories by two Hokies, the Virginia Tech wrestling team fell to the University of Virginia, 25-9 Sunday afternoon at St. Christopher's High as part of the Rumble on the River. With the win, Virginia picks up a point in the Commonwealth Challenge, presented by Comcast, making the score 5.5-3.5.

Both Sheridan Moran and Steve Borja improved their seedings at the ACC Tournament with upset wins.

The action began at 133 pounds after the Hokies forfeited at 125 pounds. There, Moran upset 12^th-ranked Eric Albright, beating him 4-3. He gave up a takedown in the first period, but got the escape to make it 2-1. After giving up an escape in the second period, he tied up the match with a takedown of his own. He then got an escape at the beginning of the third period and held off late charges by Albright to pick up the win.

After Matt Rosen fell to Kellon Balum, 6-1 at 141 pounds, Jon Bonilla-Bowman bounced back after a rough Saturday at UNC to beat Drew DiPasquale, 8-2. He wore down DiPasquale and eventually got two takedowns in the second period to spark him to the win. At 157 pounds, Derek Gallagher fell to Mike Sewell, 10-2, before Damian Johnson beat Tech's Eric Decker 4-2 at 165 pounds. At 174 pounds, Steve Ratley couldn't get anything going and dropped a 6-0 decision to Mike Grogan.

The anticipated match-up at 184 pounds didn't disappoint as Borja picked up a 5-3 win over 19^th-ranked Rocco Caponi. Borja came out firing, picking up two takedowns in the first period. After that, he played defense, not letting Caponi in on him, and held on for a well-wrestled 5-3 decision.

Kyle Narkiewicz picked up a 10-4 win over Kevin O'Connor at 197 pounds before Scott Smith beat Tech's Jim Powers 10-4 at heavyweight to conclude the match.

With the win, Virginia improved to 5-6 overall, 1-1 in the ACC while the Hokies fell to 5-8, 0-3. Tech will be back in action on Wednesday, wrestling at UNC Greensboro in a 7 p.m., match.

Virginia (5-6, 1-1)        25
Virginia Tech (5-8, 0-3)    9
125: Ross Gitomer (VA) wins by forfeit
133: Sheridan Moran (VT) dec. #12 Eric Albright, 4-3
141: Kellon Balum (VA) dec. Matt Rosen, 6-1
149: Jon Bonilla-Bowman (VT) dec. Drew DiPasquale, 8-2
157: Mike Sewell (VA) maj. dec. Derek Gallagher, 10-2
165: Damian Johnson (VA) dec. Eric Decker, 4-2
174: Mike Grogan (VA) dec. Steve Ratley, 6-0
184: Steve Borja (VT) dec. #18 Rocco Caponi, 5-3
197: Kyle Narkiewicz (VA) dec. Kevin O'Connor, 10-4
285: Scott Smith (VA) dec. Jim Powers, 10-4