Feb. 2, 2008

Hokies use bonus points to rout Bobcats, 28-14 http://www.hokiesports.com/wrestling/recaps/20080201aaa.html

BLACKSBURG - Sparked by three falls and a major decision, the Virginia Tech wrestling team put up its biggest team scoring output of the year Friday night in defeating Ohio University, 28-14, at Cassell Coliseum.

Eric Decker got things started in a big way with a quick pin of Ryan Knapp at 174 pounds. The sophomore took him down right to his back and picked up the fall just 1:06 in. Ohio got on the board at 184 pounds when Erik Schuth defeated Tech's Eddie Baughan, 8-2. Baughan was subbing for a sick Tommy Spellman. Schuth picked up a takedown in the second period and two more in the third en route to the win.

At 197 pounds, Tech freshman D.J. Bruce made his official collegiate debut and picked up a 6-4 win over Chris Iammarino. Bruce, who had been redshirting all year and wrestling unattached in open tournaments, was forced into action for injured starter Kevin O'Connor. Bruce used two first-period takedowns to build a lead and held on late for the win.

Moving to heavyweight, David Marone cruised to an 8-2 win over Jason Marshall, using three takedowns, an escape and riding time to propel him to his second-straight win. Justin Staylor got the crowd on its feet at 125 pounds when he topped Decker's effort with a pin of Heath Allen at 1:03.

The final bout came at 165 pounds where Tech's Matt Epperly had to come from behind to pick up a 15-5 major decision over Kent Smith. Smith got two early takedowns to lead 4-1, but Epperly tied the match up at the end of the first period and used a takedown and two near-fall combinations to take a 12-4 lead into the final stanza. He got a reversal and riding time to account for the final points.