January 31, 2007

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Virginia Tech wrestling squad fell to the UNC Greensboro Spartans, 27-15, Wednesday night at Fleming Gymnasium. UNCG improved to 6-3 overall while the Hokies fell to 5-9.

Tech jumped out to a 6-0 advantage as it took both the 184- and 197-pound weight classes. Senior Steve Borja picked up his 80^th career victory with a 9-4 decision over Scott Snyder. Kevin O'Connor then picked up his second collegiate victory, a 5-3 decision over Nick Clark. UNCG answered back with a fall at heavyweight as Joe Sheffield recorded the pin in 5:41 over the Hokies' Jim Powers. Following the match, Tech was deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct to make it 6-5. The Spartans were awarded a forfeit at 125 pound to extend their lead to 12-5.

Moving to 133 pounds, freshman Mitchell Johnson added to the Spartan lead as he picked up a fall at 1:33 over Sheridan Moran. UNCG's Chris Bencivenga then picked up a 9-8 decision over Matt Rosen at 141 pounds to make it 21-5.

Before the match, head coach Kevin Dresser decided to shuffle his lineup, inserting Andre Johnson in at 149 pounds and bumping Jon Bonilla-Bowman up to 157 pounds. The move paid dividends as both men recorded victories. At 149 pounds, Johnson defeated Marcus Hannah, 2-1 before Bonilla-Bowman picked up a four-point technical fall at 157 pounds with a dominating 27-12 victory over Nate Berryman. He was only awarded four points because he didn't pick up any near-fall points.

Tech's Eric Decker then brought the Hokies to within striking distance with one match left when he took a 5-0 decision at 165 pounds over Mark Ring to make it 21-15. However, UNCG's Joe Lowe closed out the night when he recorded a fall at 6:26 over Eddie Baughan at 175 pounds to give the Spartans the 27-15 victory. Steve Ratley was given the night off to rest a nagging ankle injury.

The Hokies will take seven days off before returning to action on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Old Dominion in a 7:30 p.m., match in Norfolk.

UNCG (6-3)             27

Virginia Tech (5-9)    15

184 - Steve Borja (VT) dec. Scott Snyder, 9-4

197 - Kevin O'Connor (VT) dec. Nick Clark, 5-3

285 - Joe Sheffield (UNCG) fall Jim Powers, 5:41

125 - Jeff Hedges (UNCG) wins by forfeit

133 - Mitchell Johnson (UNCG) fall Sheridan Moran, 1:33

141 - Chris Bencivenga (UNCG) dec. Matt Rosen, 9-8

149 - AJ Johnson (VT) dec. Marcus Hannah, 2-1

157 - Jon Bonilla-Bowman (VT) tech fall-4 Nate Berryman, 27-12

165 - Eric Decker (VT) dec. Mark Ring, 5-0

174 - Joe Lowe (UNCG) fall Eddie Baughan, 6:26