Buena Vista, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's wrestling team put up a valiant effort against Washington and Lee University in an ODAC matchup, showing determination and grit despite falling 50-0 to the Generals.
125 lbs – Matthew Papa came out strong, applying pressure with an aggressive approach that forced his opponent into defensive reactions. Both wrestlers remained locked in a scoreless battle after an intense first period. Papa chose the bottom position in the second, fighting through a tough ride but fell behind after a near fall. He fought hard in the final round, but his opponent secured a tech fall victory, 16-0.
133 lbs – Francisco Ramirez brought energy to his match but faced an early takedown. Despite his resilience, his opponent capitalized on an opportunity to secure a fall.
141 lbs – Richie Kulessa engaged in an exciting back-and-forth match, scoring an early escape and pressing the attack. Kulessa continued to push the pace but was unable to overcome a late deficit, dropping the match by tech fall, 17-1.
149 lbs – Sawyer Ferry displayed grit and determination, staying in the fight for all three rounds. Despite his efforts, he fell by tech fall in the final period.
157 lbs – Corbin Mecham found himself in a challenging matchup, working to counter his opponent's attacks but ultimately falling by tech fall in the opening round.
165 lbs – Noah James showed flashes of brilliance with his scrambles and aggressive style. He put up a tough fight, but his opponent's control on the mat proved difficult to break.
174 lbs – Tyson Hoopes was relentless in his pursuit of scoring opportunities. After conceding an early takedown, he bounced back with a quick escape before the first-period buzzer. Hoopes kept the match within reach, trailing 4-2 late, but despite his efforts to push for a comeback, his opponent secured the narrow decision.
184 lbs – Hank Svedin fought through a tough opening period but fell behind after a near fall. Despite his attempts to escape in the second round, he was pinned with 30 seconds remaining.
197 lbs – Britton Sorenson exhibited great tenacity, fending off several pin attempts and staying aggressive throughout the match. His opponent's continuous pressure led to a tech fall, but Sorenson's resilience was on full display.
285 lbs – Porter Trapp started strong, controlling the early exchanges, but a reversal put him in a tough position, resulting in a pin.
The Knights remain focused on their goals and will look to rebound this Saturday, January 25th, when they take on Greensboro College in another exciting conference dual at 7:00 PM.
