The Basics:

Score:  Liberty 28, Roanoke 23; Roanoke 29, Johns Hopkins 10
Event: 2023 Virginia Duals – American College Division      
Location: Hampton, Va.

The Lead: The Roanoke wrestling team finished third in the Silver Bracket at the 2023 Virginia Duals with a split of its two matches on the final day. The Maroons dropped their first match to Liberty before bouncing back with a convincing win over the Blue Jays of Johns Hopkins.

RC highlights:

• The Maroons started the day by facing off against Liberty University. The Maroons would drop a 28-13 dual to the Flames. Nick Kauffman won at 141 lbs. by decision and Mahlic Sallah won at 184 lbs. by major decision. Andrew McDougal picked up a pin at 157 lbs. to lead the Maroons.

125 - Dante Minnino (LU) dec. Jude Robson (RC), 4-2; LU leads 3-0
133 - Blake Schmitt (LU) dec. Corey Messick (RC), 7-3; LU leads 6-0
141 - Nick Kauffman (RC) dec. Grant Brammer (LU), 5-3; LU leads 6-3
149 - Charles Hudson (LU) dec. Nicholas Young (RC), 4-0, LU leads 9-3
157 - Andrew McDougal (RC) fall Ian McIlhenny (LU), 4:41, Tied 9-9
165 - Connor McCann (LU) dec. Jacob Cherry (RC), 6-3; LU leads 12-9
174 - Zachary Kaminski (LU) tech. fall Josh Epperly (RC), 17-0; LU leads 17-9
184 - Mahlic Sallah (RC) maj. dec. Gabriel Hayes (LU), 10-0; LU leads 17-13
197 - Sean Gillespie (LU) tech. fall Cam Cavins (RC), 17-2; LU leads 22-13
285 - Jefferey Allen (LU) fall Joshua Mancia (RC), 4:14; LU wins 28-13

• In the second dual, the Maroons bounced back by taking down their opponents from Baltimore. Roanoke opened with wins by Mac Cafurello and Sean Hall at 125 lbs. and 133 lbs., respectively. After the Blue Jays won the match at 149 lbs., Zane Cox won at 157 lbs. for the Maroons by tech. fall. Roanoke closed out with three wins in the final three weight classes.

125 - Mac Cafurello (RC) maj. dec. Dhilan Patel (JHU), 22-9; RC leads 4-0
133 - Sean Hall (RC) dec. Brent Lorin (JHU), 9-2; RC leads 7-0
141 - Dustin Smith (RC) fall Alex Tinana (JHU), 0:40; RC leads 13-0
149 - Connor Powell (JHU) dec. Andru Boyd (RC), 2-0; RC leads 13-3
157 - Zane Cox (RC) tech. fall Fritz Maurath (JHU), 17-2; RC leads 18-3
165 - Jake Hoffmann (JHU) dec. David Reid (RC), 8-3; RC leads 18-6
174 - Joe Paul (JHU) maj. dec. Kyle Lee (RC),14-4; RC leads 18-10
184 - Mahlic Sallah (RC) tech. fall Colin Vallis (JHU), 24-8; RC leads 23-10
197 - Wyatt Sage (RC) dec. John Libby (JHU), 7-3; RC leads 26-10
285 - Brady Elswick (RC) dec. Jack Dunn (JHU), 7-1 SV1; RC wins 29-10

Up next: The Maroons will be back on campus on Thursday, January 19 when they host Greensboro in an ODAC dual. The first dual with the Pride is scheduled for 7 p.m.