Cavalier Wrestling Routs Virginia Tech, 25-9, in Comcast Commonwealth Challenge

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Jan. 28, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. – – Ross Gitomer, Kellon Balum, Mike Sewell, Damian Johnson, Mike Grogan, Kyle Narkiewicz and Scott Smith each won their bouts and the Virginia wrestling team routed rival Virginia Tech (5-8, 0-3 ACC), 25-9, Sunday afternoon at St. Christopher’s High School as part of the Rumble on the River. With the win, Virginia (5-6, 1-1 ACC) picked up a point in the Commonwealth Challenge, presented by Comcast, making the score 5.5-3.5.

Gitomer won by forfeit at 125 pounds to open up the meet giving the Cavaliers an early 6-0 lead. Sheridan Moran pulled one of two Hokie upsets on the day as he edged No. 12 Eric Albright at 133 pounds, 4-3, pulling Virginia Tech within 6-3.

Balum defeated VT’s Matt Rosen, 6-1, putting the Cavaliers ahead, 9-3. Virginia Tech made it, 9-6 when Jon Bonilla-Bowman decisioned Drew DiPasquale at 149 pounds, 8-2.

Sewell gave the Cavaliers a 13-6 advantage as he earned a 10-2 major decision win over Derek Gallagher. Johnson then won at 165 pounds and Grogan followed with a 6-0 shutout of Steve Ratley at 174 pounds putting Virginia ahead 19-6.

Steve Borja upset No. 18 Rocco Caponi at 184 pounds when he held off Caponi for a 5-3 decision. Kyle Narkiewicz and Scott Smith each won 10-4 at 197 pounds and heavyweight to close out the meet.

Virginia returns to action next weekend when the Cavaliers travel to Athens, Ohio to wrestle Ohio and Ashland.

Virginia 25, Virginia Tech 9
125: Ross Gitomer (VA) wins by forfeit
133: Sheridan Moran (VT) dec. #12 Eric Albright, 4-3
141: Kellon Balum (VA) dec. Matt Rosen, 6-1
149: Jon Bonilla-Bowman (VT) dec. Drew DiPasquale, 8-2
157: Mike Sewell (VA) maj. dec. Derek Gallagher, 10-2
165: Damian Johnson (VA) dec. Eric Decker, 4-2
174: Mike Grogan (VA) dec. Steve Ratley, 6-0
184: Steve Borja (VT) dec. #18 Rocco Caponi, 5-3
197: Kyle Narkiewicz (VA) dec. Kevin O’Connor, 10-4
285: Scott Smith dec. Jim Powers, 10-4