Buena Vista, VA - The Southern Virginia men's wrestling team faced off against the Ferrum College Panthers in their final home dual of the season, a match filled with intensity as the Knights paid tribute to seniors Weston Hirschi and Sawyer Ferry.

Coach Brig Hoopes reflected on the match, saying, "Our seniors are two of the most dependable guys you can have; it's been a lot of fun to have them. They are both great guys and are going to do great things and be successful in whatever they pursue. They are a tough team and only getting better. Overall, we wrestled them well, even though the score did not show that. We had some tough matches, and our guys went out and battled. I was super proud of Eli and a lot of these guys, and Pone only started wrestling with us in January and has only gotten better."

The Knights' action kicked off with Quinn Richards taking the mat. Although Richards initiated the match with some impressive handfighting, a reversed takedown put him at a 5-0 disadvantage. Despite his efforts to escape, Ferrum executed another takedown just as time expired, extending the gap to 8-1. In the second round, Richards fought tenaciously, but was unable to thwart the successive takedowns, ultimately losing by technical fall with a score of 18-3.

In the 133-pound category, John Carlson faced a formidable challenge from Ferrum. The opening moments saw Ferrum employing chain wrestling, securing takedowns and allowing Carlson limited opportunities to regain his footing. The first round concluded with Carlson trailing 16-4 due to his struggle for escapes without obtaining wrist control. Despite a valiant effort in the second round, where Carlson aggressively pursued takedowns, the point differential proved insurmountable. In the end, he succumbed to a technical fall, concluding the match with a score of 6-23.

In the 141-pound category, Weston Hirschi engaged in a fiercely contested first half, with both wrestlers vying for control. However, towards the end of the half, Ferrum managed to secure a crucial takedown, bringing the score to 6-1 as they entered the second round. Hirschi mounted a comeback in the second round, executing a resilient takedown to even the score at 6-6. As the match intensified, both teams showcased their competitive spirit. In the final moments, despite Weston's efforts, Ferrum secured a reverse and additional takedowns, resulting in a narrow 10-9 lead. Weston fought for an escape, but time ran out, and he fell by decision with a final score of 9-10.

Moving on to the 149-pound category, Eli Blackwell faced a tough opening but managed to seize control with a well-executed takedown. Following up swiftly, he secured a quick pin in the first round, securing a dominant victory and contributing valuable points to the Knights' overall score.

In the 157-pound category, Porter Kinne initiated the match with aggression but faced challenges after suffering a takedown. Despite his efforts to escape, he found it difficult and ultimately fell victim to a pin at the end of the round.

Moving on to the 165-pound division, Calvin Filmore exhibited patience against his Ferrum opponent. Filmore strategically seized an opportunity for a quick takedown, resulting in a fierce clash between the competitors. The first round concluded with Filmore holding a slim 3-4 lead, but a reversal during a takedown attempt favored the Panthers. In the second round, Filmore, starting from the bottom position, struggled to break free from Ferrum's control and ultimately succumbed to a pin, concluding the match in favor of the Panthers.

In the 174-pound category, Tyson Hoopes showcased his wrestling prowess by attempting back-to-back single legs. Despite his efforts, the Ferrum opponent skillfully evaded the takedowns and secured points at the end of the round, leading 3-1 going into the second. Hoopes, determined to turn the tide, began the second round with a powerful slam. Slowly gaining control on the ground, he pushed his opponent to a near-fall, narrowly missing it as the buzzer saved Ferrum. Hoopes entered the third with a slim 5-3 lead. An escape extended the lead to 6-3, and despite a contested flurry of exchanges, Hoopes emerged victorious by decision with a final score of 6-3.

In the 184-pound division, Lincoln Trapp started with an aggressive mindset, seeking shots and opportunities against his Ferrum opponent. Despite both wrestlers struggling to score due to resets, the first round concluded with Ferrum holding a narrow 3-1 lead. In the second round, Trapp quickly escaped and executed a reversal, but found himself on the bottom, conceding a 4-point nearfall and falling behind 4-9. Displaying resilience, Trapp continued to shoot for significant takedowns, but entered the third round trailing 4-12. Ferrum capitalized on their advantage, and Trapp ultimately lost by techfall, bringing the match to a close.

In the 197-pound category, Weston Memmott began the match with an impressive slam, showcasing his strength. However, a slip during the course of the match proved costly as Weston fell late to a pin.

Moving to the heavyweight division (285 pounds), Pone Aisea faced the formidable #1-ranked Rayshawn Dixon, who held an undefeated record of 23-0. Pone struggled to find his rhythm early on, conceding two takedowns that put him at a 3-9 disadvantage by the end of the first round. Despite a resilient start in the second round with tough clashes, Dixon executed a successful shot that ultimately led to a late pin, concluding the match in favor of Dixon.

Despite facing formidable opposition, the Knights remain undeterred and are now gearing up for the Futures Tournament on Saturday, February 3rd. The team will be heading to Roanoke College for this tournament, viewing it as an opportunity to showcase their skills and further their journey of improvement.

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University men's wrestling, please visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_wrestling on Instagram