BOONE, N.C. – Little Rock wrestling picked up their first team victory of the season today, splitting duals with Appalachian State and the Virginia Military Institute. The Trojans took out VMI 33-7, collecting eight of the ten bouts, before falling to the hosts 28-3 despite a ranked win from
Triston Wills.
"Feels good to get a dual win," remarked head coach
Neil Erisman. "We did what we're capable of and what we're supposed to, and I'm proud of the way we wrestled in that one. But we are so close to jumping levels. We're so close that it just comes down to an attitude and mentality shift, and we go from losing some of these duals to having multiple ranked wins. It might be small, but it's a big step. It's a simple choice and it just takes one match, one practice, one takedown."
Wills tallied two decisions on the day, starting with a 4-1 win over VMI. The redshirt sophomore rode out the second period to earn the riding time point, escaping and adding a takedown in the third period. He picked up a 4-3 victory against #26 Flitz from App State later in the evening, thanks to a reversal and takedown in the third period. He moves to 10-6 on the season with two ranked wins now under his belt.
"I was happy that Triston went and did that," said Coach Erisman. "He should do that, he should be beating guys like that. He's just gotta go and keep doing it."
In the first dual,
Jaylen Carson and
Tyler Brennan highlighted the match with pins. Brennan made it look easy, rolling his opponent over in less than two minutes, while Carson picked up several near falls before sealing the deal in the second period.
"Jaylen was struggling and was tired, but he found a way to get the win and the pin," said Coach Erisman, adding, "Tyler just has to remember, what he did in the first match, he can do that to anybody."
Jayden Carson kicked off the day with a second-period finish as well, tilting his way to a 16-0 tech fall, his second technical fall win in a row. Meanwhile,
Joseph Bianchi was the other Trojan to collect bonus points, defeating his VMI opponent in a rematch from the Scuffle in a similar result.
"I was proud that Jayden did that back-to-back," said Coach Erisman. "I was happy with the way he decided to change and be different today. He's improved over the last couple weeks in a way that he needs to."
Also of note,
Austin Keal earned his first career dual win at 157 pounds by decision, 9-3.
Coach Erisman applauded his efforts: "Austin made huge adjustments this week and wrestled his tail off. He scored at the end of periods and didn't settle. It was a really great match for him."
Later, in the second dual of the day against App State, eight of the matches were slim losses by decision. Bianchi was in a fight with #5 Millner, holding him scoreless until the final period, while Brennan took his ranked opponent to overtime.
Josiah Hill nearly went 2-0 on the day, dropping the final bout by a single point.
"Joey was in a position to win the match, and he just has to finish it," said Coach Erisman. "If he does that, he can win it, no doubt in my mind. As for Josiah, there's only a few people this year that actually went out and beat him. He's only really beat himself. Once he cleans that up, he's just going to go straight up."
The Trojans will have one day off between competitions, traveling to face #22 North Carolina this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. CT.
"Sunday is about having a lot of grit and being tough," said Coach Erisman, to sum it up. "We've excelled with our technique and we just have to be tough and withstand the match for however long the match takes, not just for bits and pieces."
RESULTS vs. VMI
125:
Jayden Carson TF Cameron Chicella (VMI), 16-0 (4:10)
133:
Jaylen Carson F Patrick Maglathlin (VMI), 4:05
141:
Conner Ward DEC Freddy Junko (VMI), 7-3
149:
Joseph Bianchi MD Luke Hart (VMI), 13-3
157:
Austin Keal DEC Seth Fillers (VMI), 9-3
165:
Tyler Brennan F Blake Showers (VMI), 1:51
174:
Triston Wills DEC Jon Hoover (VMI), 4-1
184: Zach Brown (VMI) MD
Brayden Dillow, 8-0
197: Isaac Dolph (VMI) DEC
Brooks Sacharczyk, 13-6
285:
Josiah Hill DEC Josh Evans (VMI), 4-0
RESULTS vs. Appalachian State
125: #22 Caleb Smith (APP) DEC
Jayden Carson, 5-1
133: Sean Carter (APP) DEC
Jaylen Carson, 9-3
141: Heath Gonyer (APP) DEC
Conner Ward, 3-0
149: #5 Jonathan Millner (APP) DEC
Joseph Bianchi, 4-0
157: #33 Cody Bond (APP) DEC
Austin Keal, 10-3
165: #16 Will Formato (APP) DEC
Tyler Brennan, 8-6, SV-1
174:
Triston Wills DEC #26 Thomas Flitz (APP), 4-2
184: Barrett Blakely (APP) MD
Brayden Dillow, 10-2
197: Wyatt Miller (APP) DEC
Brooks Sacharczyk, 6-0
285: Michael Burchell (APP) DEC
Josiah Hill, 4-3
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