NEWBERRY, S.C. - After a match with No. 7 Findlay in which the Wolves were held to their lowest point output of the season (33) and gave up the most points in a dual match so far this season (10) the squad put on another dominating performance with a 43-6 victory over Anderson.
With the victory, the No. 5 team in the land moves their duals record to 7-0 and outscored the competition 299-19 so far this season. That's an astonishing average score of 42.7 to 2.7 in favor of the scarlet and gray.
Jon Cronin (Las Vegas, Nev.) got things going for the Wolves against Andrew Rankin. Cronin scored four takedowns in the opening frame and the scoreboard read 8-3 heading into the second. Cronin turned in one of the most prolific second periods for the Wolves this season by racking up 13 points in the frame. The junior would cruise through the third and pick up another pair of takedowns and a point for riding time for a 26-12 triumph. Cronin came one point away from tying the school record for points in a match set by Brandon Kelly in 2009 with a score of 27.
Not wanting to be outdone, the No. 6 133 lbs. grappler in Division II B.J. Young (Jackson, N.J.) picked up a lopsided technical fall victory over Ian Harper. The match was over in its infancy with Young rattling off a trio of three-point near falls and another takedown in the first. The freshman would rack up eight more points in the second and allow only two to Harper en route to the 19-2 victory.
Continuing the high scoring individual matches was Deral Brown (Elgin, S.C.). Brown ripped through Caleb Swinson in the first, racking up 14 points and allowing only three escape points to the Trojan. Brown would keep his duals record perfect by scoring another six points in the second and winning by a score of 20-3.
Taking part in his first dual match of the season from the 149 lbs. slot was Michael Young (Charleston, S.C.). Young faced off against Dan Telhada and scored a takedown in the first to to take a 2-1 lead into the second. In the second, Young picked up another six points to enhance his lead. The freshman would add another pair of points in the third and took an 11-6 decision which would be the closest bout for the Wolves in the dual.
Sean Byrnes (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) would pick up his second fall of the afternoon, pinning Dalton Harper 1:34 into the 157 lbs. bout.
Looking to avenge his earlier loss, Blake Ridenour (Maryville, Tenn.) faced off against Jordan Lide at the 165 lbs. level and would not disappoint a second time around. Ridenour picked up three takedowns in the first period and scored another four points in the second to earn a 10-3 edge headed into the final frame. Four more points would give Ridenour the major decision victory 16-6 as he gave up only two offensive points via a takedown.
For the second match in a row, the 174 lbs. weight slot was the one weak point for the scarlet and gray. Braden Carter (Christiansburg, Va.) would find himself on the wrong side of the scoreboard as he was pinned by Trevor Sanford 57 seconds into the match.
Bryant Blanton (Summerville, S.C.) picked up his second win of the day after pinning Sean O'Connell in the 184 lbs. bout. Blanton led 2-0 after the first and picked up a two-point reversal in the second period before his fall at the 3:48 mark.
After Zach Anderson (Dunwoody, Ga.) won his 197 lbs. battle by forfeit, Corey Anderson (Rockton, Ill.) took the mat in the heavyweight bout against Chase Duke. Anderson started slowly, scoring only a takedown in the first period before taking control in the second. The junior accrued four takedowns and an escape in the second to take total control of the bout. Anderson scored three more points in the third and took a 14-5 major decision and moved his duals record to 2-0.
The Wolves will travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to take part in the Midwest Classic on December 18 and 19. The Classic will begin a road stretch for the scarlet and gray that will last until February.
Box Score
