NEWBERRY, S.C. - The No. 5 Newberry Wolves wrestling squad opened up their duals season on a dominating note by blowing out the visiting Spartanburg Methodist Pioneers 53-0. The Wolves didn't allow the Pioneers to score an offensive point in the dual, and the score was the second-most lopsided one in school history, beaten only by a pair of 60-0 forfeits in the 2006-07 season.
The match began at the 125 lbs. weight class where Connor McDonald (Rehoboth, Del.) faced off against Luke Campbell. McDonald got on the board just four seconds into the match, recording the first of his five takedowns. Campbell would manufacture a point with an escape to make things 2-1, but that was as close at McDonald would allow his opponent to get. The junior transfer from Lehigh added another takedown and a two-point near fall just five seconds apart. McDonald was able to pin Campbell for the victory 1:47 into the match to give Newberry a 6-0 lead.
BJ Young (Jackson, N.J.) was next at the 133 lbs. level, already boasting the third-quickest pin time in school history with pin just 0:26 seconds in to one of his first collegiate matches at the Hokie Open. The freshman wasted no time in taking a 2-0 lead with a takedown five seconds in. He would add another takedown, a pair of two-point near falls and a three-point near fall to take an 11-1 lead into the second period.
Young piled up seven straight points with a takedown, a two-point near fall and a three-point near fall in the first 1:41 of the second period to score an 18-1 technical fall victory to push the Wolves lead to 10-0.
Looking to follow the speed of the two previous matches, Deral Brown (Elgin, S.C.) replicated the quick takedown strategy, scoring his first pair of point just 10 seconds into the 141 lbs. bout. Brown would add five more takedowns in the span of 0:58 and pinned Damien Kennerly at the 2:10 mark in the first period, giving the scarlet and gray a 16-0 lead.
Dale DeBacco (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) continued the pinning showcase by taking down Steven Humphries at the 1:58 mark of the first round in the 149 lbs. clash. DeBacco racked up six points with a pair of takedowns and a near fall before the pin.
The 157 lbs. match would go to Sean Byrnes (Jackson, N.J.) via a forfeit for yet another six points for the home squad.
Matthew Elkins (Trussville, Ala.) would wrestle in his first dual at home and come away with a victory as well. The freshman accrued four points in the opening period with a takedown and a near fall while holding Reid Welch to no points. The 165 lbs. grappler would add three more points in the second with an escape and a takedown and pinned Welch at the 4:47 mark for another six team points.
The 174 lbs. match pitted Josh Whitelock (Rhodesdale, Md.) against Alex Tozzolino. Whitelock put seven points on the board in the first minute of the match, and never looked back as he gained another eight points by way of three more near falls. Whitelock was awarded another point from his 2:19 of riding time en route to an 18-0 technical fall triumph.
Defending 184 lbs. national champion Bryant Blanton (Summerville, S.C.) was up next and he provided the final pin of the day for the scarlet and gray. Blanton would tally eight points in the first minute of competition with a pair of three-point near falls and a takedown. The senior added another three-point near fall before pinning Nick Nuzzi at the 2:34 mark in the first.
Zach Anderson (Dunwoody, Ga.) was involved in the closest match of the competition, facing off against Keyshon Flores in the 197 lbs. department. Anderson held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period before Flores knotted matters at two via an escape point in the second.
Anderson chose the down position to begin the final period and earned the final point of the match just thirty seconds in with an escape. Anderson held Flores at bay for the remainder of the match to keep the Wolves perfect in the competition with a 3-2 decision.
The last match of the evening pitted Jake Elkins (Trussville, Ala.) against James Hannon in a heavyweight battle. Elkins used a pair of takedowns in the first period to jump out to a 4-1 lead. He would make use of an escape and another takedown in the second to push his lead to 7-1. Hannon was assessed a pair of penalties for stalling, giving Elkins another pair of points. Coupled with his 1:35 of riding time, Elkins went on to take the 10-1 major decision to conclude the match.
To see the box score for the match, visit http://bit.ly/c8VODG .
Saturday (Nov. 13) will mark the Wolves first Division II competition in a dual. The pack heads north to take on No. 20 Limestone. The match is scheduled to get under way at 7 p.m.
