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No. 24 Mountaineers Fall to No. 5 Missouri, Picked To Represent SoCon at National Duels

Denzel Dejournette pinned James Romero for the Mountaineers only points of the night in the loss to NO. 5 Missouri on Friday. Photo by Rob Moore / App State Athletics
Denzel Dejournette pinned James Romero for the Mountaineers only points of the night in the loss to NO. 5 Missouri on Friday. Photo by Rob Moore / App State Athletics

One day after claiming a share of the Southern Conference regular season title, Appalachian State University wrestling brought its 2015-16 home schedule to a close on Friday night with a match between ranked schools against No. 5 Missouri in front of a packed out Varity Gym. The Mountaineers (11-4, 6-1 SoCon) were overpowered by the MAC champion Tigers (13-1, 8-0 MAC) and fell, 41-6.

“I don’t take any negatives away from tonight,” said head coach JohnMark Bentley. “We lost a couple close matches early and got caught in some bad spots in others. They are the defending national dual champions for a reason. This will prepare us going forward.”

After a scoreless first period in the 125-pound match featuring Vito Pasone vs. No. 9 Barlow McGhee, both wrestlers earned one-point escapes and were tied heading into the final minute of the match. McGhee was able to get a late takedown for a, 3-1, decision win.

Down 2-0 with one period left against No. 13 Zach Synon, Irvin Enriquez was unable to rally and eventually fell, 6-2. With the Apps down 6-0, Michael Longo took on No. 5 Matt Manley. Longo used a takedown to tie the match in the third period, but a Manley escape gave the Tigers a, 7-5, victory.

No. 3 Lavion Mayes was too much for Matt Zovistoski at 149 pounds and ultimately fell by technical 19-4. Missouri started to pull away right before intermission with Le’Roy Barnes’ pin of David Peters-Logue in the 157-pound match to give the Tigers a 20-0.

After the break, Forrest Przybysz took the mat against No. 5 Daniel Lewis. Lewis would go to win by decision, 14-7.

The Tigers then flexed their muscles in the next three matches winning by pin at 174 pounds over Nick Kee, 184 pounds over Taylor Jackson, and 197 pounds over Randall Diabe. The pins put Missouri up 41-0.

The lone bright spot on the night for the Mountaineers came in the heavyweight match when No. 5 Denzel Dejournette squared off with James Romero. Dejournette wasted little time taking down Romero in the first period. Two minutes in the bout, Dejournette pinned his opponent for the second time in as many days, giving the Mountaineers their only six points of the night.

The Mountaineers will be back in action on Feb. 21 on the road against Ohio to close out their regular season. Match time is set for 1 p.m.

No. 5 Missouri 41, No. 24 App State 6

125: Barlow McGhee (M) def. Vito Pasone (A) D, 3-1 (3-0 Missouri)

133; Zach Synon (M) def. Irvin Enriquez (A) D, 6-2 (6-0 Missouri)

141: Matt Manley (M) vs. Michael Longo (A) D, 7-5 (9-0 Missouri)

149: Lavion Mayes (M) def. Matt Zovistoski (A) TF, 19-4 (14-0 Missouri)

157: Le’Roy Barnes (M) pinned David Peters-Logue (A) (Pin 1:43) (20-0 Missouri)

165: Forrest Przybysz (A) vs. Daniel Lewis (M) D, 14-7 (23-0 Missouri)

174: Blaise Butler (M) pinned Nick Kee (A) (Pin 1:34) (29-0 Missouri)

184: Willie Miklus (M) pinned Taylor Jackson (A) (Pin 1:16) (35-0 Missouri)

197: J’den Cox (M) pinned Randall Diabe (A) (Pin 4:06) (41-0 Missouri)

Hwt: Denzel Dejournette (A) pinned James Romero (M) (Pin 2:06) (41-6 Missouri)

Apps Picked to Represent SoCon at National Duals

MANHEIM, Pa. — Appalachian State University wrestling has been selected as one of 16 teams to compete at the NWCA National Duals Championship Series.

The Mountaineers (11-4, 6-1 SoCon) will travel to Bloomington, Ind. to wrestle Indiana on Sunday. Match time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

“I am honored that our program has been selected for the 16-team field for the National Duals!,” said head coach JohnMark Bentley. “I am looking forward to the challenge for our team!”

App State secured a share of the Southern Conference title, along with Gardner-Webb and Chattanooga, with its win over VMI on Thursday night. Appalachian picked up the National Championship bid from the Southern Conference by having the most votes in the NWCA/ USA Today Poll.

The National Duals will be the final preparation for the Mountaineers before they compete in the Southern Conference Championship in Asheville, N.C. on Mar. 5