ASU wrestling captures SoCon title
by Steve Behr Sports Editor
After taking eight of 10 possible bouts, Appalachian State's wrestling team clinched a share of the Southern Conference dual-meet title as the Mountaineers beat VMI 37-9 in Varsity Gymnasium on Friday.
Appalachian (11-3, 5-0 SoCon) is one win away from its first undefeated league season since 2002-03; the Apps will take on Davidson in their final match of the season on Feb. 19. League-rival Chattanooga is one match behind at 4-1 in SoCon play and concludes its slate with VMI (5-8, 2-3 SoCon) on Feb. 20.
Appalachian State wasted little time taking a lead. Kyle Blevins, who is ranked No. 15 in the nation at 165 pounds, beat Jonathan Jones 15-2 to give the Mountaineers a 4-0 lead. The win gave Blevins his 114th career victory, placing him second on the ASU all-time list.
VMI's Matthew Brock won the next match, but Austin Trotman won by forfeit to put the Mountaineers up 10-3. It was Trotman's 119th career victory.
Freshman Paul Weiss notched a convincing 10-1 victory at 197 pounds, VMI got a pinfall victory at 285 pounds, and Appalachian State's 125-pounder got ASU another forfeit victory to give the Mountaineers a 20-9 lead.
VMI didn't grab a victory win the rest of the match. Brett Boston, Mike Kessler, Savva Kostis and William Powell all won their matches. Kostis, a former Watauga standout, beat David Yost at 149 pounds 15-6.
Appalachian (11-3, 5-0 SoCon) is one win away from its first undefeated league season since 2002-03; the Apps will take on Davidson in their final match of the season on Feb. 19. League-rival Chattanooga is one match behind at 4-1 in SoCon play and concludes its slate with VMI (5-8, 2-3 SoCon) on Feb. 20.
Appalachian State wasted little time taking a lead. Kyle Blevins, who is ranked No. 15 in the nation at 165 pounds, beat Jonathan Jones 15-2 to give the Mountaineers a 4-0 lead. The win gave Blevins his 114th career victory, placing him second on the ASU all-time list.
VMI's Matthew Brock won the next match, but Austin Trotman won by forfeit to put the Mountaineers up 10-3. It was Trotman's 119th career victory.
Freshman Paul Weiss notched a convincing 10-1 victory at 197 pounds, VMI got a pinfall victory at 285 pounds, and Appalachian State's 125-pounder got ASU another forfeit victory to give the Mountaineers a 20-9 lead.
VMI didn't grab a victory win the rest of the match. Brett Boston, Mike Kessler, Savva Kostis and William Powell all won their matches. Kostis, a former Watauga standout, beat David Yost at 149 pounds 15-6.