Apprentice School advances in Day One of Virginia Duals

With a flair for the dramatic, the Apprentice School recorded another first round advancement in the 28th annual Virginia Duals.

The Builders opened the event with a 28-27 victory against Millersville University.  The deciding point came from the second criteria in winning the most six-point bouts.  This marks the second straight year the Builders opened with a win over a NCAA Division I program as they opened the 2007 event with a 35-13 win over Davidson College.

Sophomore Kevin Hill opened the match for the Builders with a win by pin in 47 seconds over John Andel and freshman Justin Olanowski earned a win by forfeit at 133 pounds to give the Builders a 12-0 lead after the first two bouts.

Millersville responded with victories in the next three bouts, with two by pin and a tech fall to take a 17-12 advantage after 157 pounds.

Senior Justin Gilliard put the Builders back into the match with a 5-2 decision at 165 pounds to cut the deficit to 17-15.  Fellow senior Eric Lybarger followed with a win by pin in 2:22 over Jeremy Brooks at 174 pounds to give the Builders a 21-17 advantage. The Marauders, a NCAA Division I program in Pennsylvania, got victories at 184 by pin and 197 by a major decision to take a 27-21 lead heading into heavyweight. 

Freshman Josh Seal stepped out for the Builders and got his hand raised in victory as Millersville didn't have a heavyweight wrestler which ended the dual match 27-27.   The first tie-breaking criteria was most victories which each team had five.  The next criteria was the most six-point victories, which included pin, forfeit or disqualification.  Apprentice School edged Millersville 4-3 in that category to earn the victory.

That victory puts the Builders into a 2 pm semifinal on Saturday against the 9th-ranked NCAA Division II program in Newberry College.  The Indians and the Builders do have some common ground as Newberry started its program in the 2004-05 season and participated in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association before going full NCAA Division II the following season.  Newberry, the top-seeded team in the American College Division, defeated McDaniel College 53-0 in its opening match.