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Jan. 6, 2005
RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Virginia wrestling team defeated the VMI Keydets in a non-conference dual match by the score of 25-13 in the Third Annual Rumble on the River at St. Christopher’s School. The Cavaliers and Keydets split the first eight bouts and were tied at 13-13 with two matches remaining before VMI forfeited the final two bouts to UVa to give Virginia a 25-13 victory. UVa’s Anthony Burke (125), Byron Dunlap (133), Damian Johnson (174) and Rocco Caponi (184) each recorded victories in the dual match for the Cavaliers, while Virginia’s Scott Smith (197) and Nick Smith (HWT) were each awarded wins by forfeit for UVa.
UVa jumped out to an early 6-0 lead after two bouts following Virginia’s Anthony Burke’s 11-5 decision over VMI’s Jeremy Adams at 125-pounds before the Cavaliers’ Byron Dunlop topped the Keydets’ Tyler Anthony by the score of 3-2 at 133-pounds.
However, VMI won the next four bouts at 141, 149, 157 and 165-pounds to take a 13-6 lead after six matches. The Keydets’ David Metzler beat Virginia’s Chet Naylor 7-2 at 141-pounds, VMI’s Sam Alvarenga recorded a 17-5 major decision over UVa’s Paul Bowman at 149-pounds, the Keydets’ Chris Hardy defeated the Cavaliers’ Paul Bjorlo 4-3 at 157-pounds and VMI’s Tommy Cunningham posted a 6-1 decision over Virginia’s Conor Manley at 165-pounds.
But it would be all UVa the rest of the way as the Cavaliers won the next two matches at 174 and 184-pounds and were credited with forfeit wins at 197-pounds and heavyweight to cruise to a 12-point victory. Virginia’s Damian Johnson recorded a 13-7 win over VMI’s John Lowery at 174-pounds before the Cavaliers’ Rocco Caponi posted a 14-4 major decision win over the Keydets’ Jeff Sale to tie the match at 13-13. UVa picked up six points apiece for both of VMI’s forfeits at 197-pounds and at heavyweight that were awarded to S. Smith and N. Smith to pace Virginia to its second consecutive victory against VMI in the Rumble on the River event.
With the victory, Virginia’s record improves to 3-2 overall in dual match action. The loss drops VMI’s record to 3-2 overall this season.
The Cavaliers will return to action on Saturday, January 8th when UVa hosts the 2005 Virginia Intercollegiate State Wrestling Championships at UVa’s Memorial Gymnasium.
Third Annual Rumble on the River Results:
VMI - 13Virginia - 25
Wgt. Opponents Result UVa/VMI125 Anthony Burke (UVa) def. Jeremy Adams (VMI) 11-5 3-0133 Byron Dunlap (UVa) def. Tyler Anthony (VMI) 3-2 6-0141 David Metzler (VMI) def. Chet Naylor (UVa) 7-2 6-3149 Sam Alvarenga (VMI) def. Paul Bowman (UVa) MD, 17-5 6-7157 Chris Hardy (VMI) def. Paul Bjorlo (UVa) 4-3 6-10165 Tommy Cunningham (VMI) def. Conor Manley (UVa) 6-1 6-13174 Damian Johnson (UVa) def. John Lowery (VMI) 12-7 9-13184 Rocco Caponi (UVa) def. Jeff Sale (VMI) MD, 14-4 13-13197 Scott Smith (UVa) won by forfeit by VMI Forfeit 19-13HWT Nick Smith (UVa) won by forfeit by VMI Forfeit 25-13
— UVa —