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Challenging Field Awaits No. 25 Wrestling at Southern Scuffle
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia wrestling team moves into the post-holiday portion of its schedule Wednesday and Thursdsay (Dec. 29 and 30) by competing in the Southern Scuffle, hosted by UNC Greensboro at the Greensboro Coliseum’s Special Events Center. The invitational begins on 10 mats at 10 a.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. Thursday, with the championship round set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Virginia is ranked 25th nationally by InterMat heading into the event.
The Scuffle field once again is loaded and includes seven of the nation’s Top 25 teams, highlighted by top-ranked Cornell. In addition to the Big Red and Cavaliers, Minnesota (4), Penn State (7), Michigan (16), Hofstra (18) and Kent State (20) also will compete in the tournament. Four top-ranked wrestlers also are among the competitors – Kellen Russell of Michigan (141 pounds), Kyle Dake (149) and Mack Lewnes (174) of Cornell and Dustin Kilgore of Kent State (197).
Four Cavaliers are ranked amongst the individual top 25 of their respective weight classes by InterMat -No. 16 Nick Nelson (R-Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) at 141, No. 2 Chris Henrich (Sr., Lansdale, Pa.) at 174, No. 17 Jon Fausey (R-Fr., Dalmatia, Pa.) at 184 and No. 17 Mike Salopek (R-So., North Huntingdon, Pa.) at 197. In addition, Matt Snyder (R-So., Lewistown, Pa.) is ranked 16th at 125 pounds by Amateur Wrestling News.
Virginia last competed on Dec. 18 and rolled up the second-most points in program history in a dominating 53-0 victory over Campbell in Buies Creek, N.C. Virginia swept all 10 weight classes, with nine of the 10 wins resulting in bonus points.
Henrich (10-0 in 2010-11) continues his move up the career wins ledger at Virginia. Currently with 111 career victories, Henrich is tied with Rocco Caponi (2004-09) for third place in the Virginia annals and needs one win to match Tim Foley (112, 1999-2004) for second place and five victories to tie Mike Krafchick (116, 1991-95) for first at Virginia.
The Cavaliers racked up 96.5 points in taking fifth place last season at the Southern Scuffle. Eight Cavaliers placed in the event, highlighted by a runner-up finish by Henrich, who fell 6-1 in the championship bout to Lewnes.
Southern Scuffle Schedule
Wednesday, December 29
10 a.m. – 64-man Championship (10 mats – 500 wrestlers)
11:30 a.m. – 32-man Championship
1:45 p.m. – 1st Round of Wrestle-backs
3:45 p.m. – 16-man Championship & 2nd Round of Wrestle-backs
6 p.m. – 3rd Round of Wrestle-backs
Thursday, December 30
9 a.m. – Quarterfinals & 4th Round of Wrestle-backs
10:30 a.m. – 5th Round of Wrestle-backs
11:30 a.m. – Semifinals & 6th Round of Wrestle-backs
1 p.m. – 7th Round of Wrestle-backs
2 p.m. – Medal Rounds (3rd-8th)
5:30 p.m. – Championship Finals
Teams competing at the Southern Scuffle
Air Force
Army
Appalachian State
Bloomsburg
Boston
Campbell
The Citadel
Cornell
Duke
Edinboro
Gardner-Webb
George Mason
Hofstra
Indiana
Kent State
Liberty
Lock Haven
Michigan
Minnesota
Navy
North Carolina
NC State
Ohio
Old Dominion
Oregon State
Penn
Penn State
Princeton
UNC Greensboro
Utah Valley
Virginia
VMI