Wrestling ACCtion: Saturday & Sunday, February 23-24

Feb. 24, 2008

Saturday, Feb 23

Carolina Takes Down The Citadel, Campbell In Precursor To ACC Championships

The North Carolina wrestlers started the day with a victory over The Citadel 37-9 and then followed with a dominating take down of Campbell 46-6 on Saturday in Carmichael Auditorium. In the precursor to the ACC Championships, Carolina (10-6) had little trouble with the competition as the team combined for six falls, two major decisions and six tech falls on the day as nine different Tar Heels went unbeaten.

Sophomore Dennis Drury started the Tar Heels off in each dual versus Citadel (5-8) and Campbell (2-21-1), recording a major decision and a pin, respectively. After posting his 8-0 major decision over John Buck of Citadel, Drury fought back from an early 9-3 first-period deficit to take the lead and eventually pin Parker Burns of Campbell in 4:02. Drury, the sophomore from Jenkintown, Pa. is now 11-3 on the season and has won 10 of his last 11 bouts.

Following in his footsteps was the rest of the Tar Heel grapplers including both nationally ranked team members 165-pound Keegan Mueller (No. 11) and Heavyweight Justin Dobies (No. 20). Mueller (26-3) remained undefeated through dual action this season as he defeated Brendan Prince of Citadel in 5:08 via tech fall and then Ryan Ham of Campbell in similar fashion, winning 24-8 in 5:40 continuing his dominating performance this season. Mueller will head into the ACC Championships posting a 17-0 dual record this season.

Sunday, Feb 24

No. 22 Maryland Completes Second-Straight Perfect ACC Season

Webcast on ACC Select

The No. 22 Maryland wrestling team completed its second undefeated ACC regular season in as many years when the Terrapins slipped by Virginia, 16-15, on February 24. Both teams won five bouts, but sophomore Hudson Taylor's major decision at 197 pounds was the deciding match in the win.

The dual featured seven matches that were decided by two points or less and two of them went into tiebreakers. The day started at 165 pounds where Michael Chaires edged sophomore Mike McGill, 4-3, but classmate Mike Letts got the three points back with a 3-1 decision of his own at 174 pounds.

Rocco Caponi came right back for Virginia with another decision, a 3-2 one over junior Josh Haines, to give the Cavaliers the lead back at 6-3, but Taylor picked up his 10-2 major decision to give the Terps their first lead of the day at 7-6.

The two teams traded decision victories back and forth all the way to the 141 pounders where sophomore Jon Kohler edged Nick Nelson, 5-4, to keep Maryland's one point lead at 13-12. Sophomore Brendan Byrne also picked up a decision win in two tiebreakers, 5-4, against Ross Gitomer.

Duke Dominates Duquesne On Senior Night, 42-7

Webcast on ACC Select

The Duke wrestling team wrapped up the regular season in strong fashion, winning eight of 10 matches and picking up four pins against the Duquesne Dukes on Sunday night in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 42-7 on senior night, in which Dan Fox, Bryan Gibson and Kellan McKeon were honored for their careers as Blue Devils. The meet can be seen on-demand on ACCSelect.com.

Sunday afternoon marked the final regular season contest for Duke. The Blue Devils finish at 12-9 this year and 12-4 outside of the ACC. Duke did not lose a non-conference meet after Nov. 24.

McKeon started things out for Duke at 125 pounds, winning a 7-4 decision. The captain from Chapel Hill, N.C., is now 26-13 this season with a 13-7 mark in duals. His 61 career victories are tied for 23rd in the Duke records.

After Duquesne went ahead for its only lead at 4-3, Gibson put the Blue Devils on top for good with his 75th career victory. His pin of Jayk Cobbs at 4:03 was his fifth fall of the year. The victory put Gibson in sole possession of 14th place for career wins at Duke. Gibson is 12-6 this year and 8-4 in duals.

Hokies fall to Monarchs

Webcast on ACC Select

The Virginia Tech wrestling team wrapped up its regular season with a 36-9 loss to 19th-ranked Old Dominion Sunday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum. Three Hokies - David Marone, Matt Rosen and Tommy Spellman - all recorded individual wins in the match.

Things got started at 197 pounds where David Mendoza of ODU beat D.J. Bruce 8-3.

Marone then picked up his second win of the season over Andy Totusek at heavyweight. In the first period, Marone picked up a takedown and then got an escape and two more takedowns in the second period and a point for riding time to pick up the 8-3 win.

The Monarchs then went on a run to take a big lead. At 125 pounds, 10th-ranked James Nicholson picked up an 11-2 major decision over Tech's Justin Staylor before 17th-ranked Kyle Hutter beat Jared Jones 4-3 at 133 pounds.