BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Appalachian State University wrestling traveled to Campbell on Friday evening for the start of Southern Conference action. The Mountaineers fell to the Camels by a team score of 26-15.
The dual began at 197 pounds with Kacee Hutchinson leading things off for the Apps. Hutchinson fell in a tough match to Taylor McGiffin by a majority decision, 11-2. Following at heavyweight was Denzel Dejournette who lost a close decision 7-4 to Eloheim Palma.
Coming back around to 125 pounds, Dominic Parisi didn't get the chance to wrestle and earned six team points due to a forfeit. Chris Johnson followed for the Mountaineers at 133 pounds and wrestled a great match winning by decision over Drew Walker, 5-2. The Johnson decision put the Apps in the lead for the time being with a 9-7 advantage.
Jake Smith started out strong at 141 pounds, but ended up losing a majority decision to Michael Dahlstrom, 16-5. Resuming at 149 pounds after a 10 minute break, Javon Johnson wrestled his first varsity start. Johnson wrestled a tough opponent in Brent Jorge and lost by fall.
At 157 pounds, Nick Hall changed the momentum momentarily for the Mountaineers. Hall earned a hard fought 3-1 decision over Grant Blumenthal to bring the Apps to within five points, 17-12. The momentum from Hall's match flowed to Zack Strickland at 165 pounds. The 2013 NCAA qualifier earned a 7-3 decision in a battle over Paul Duggan to bring the Apps to within two team points, 17-15.
Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, their momentum would halt when Cody Ryba would win by fall over Colin Hedash at 174 pounds to extend the Camel lead to 23-15. The final match of the evening featured both squad's 184 pounders. Nick Vetell would fall by decision, 7-3.
The Mountaineers will have a relatively quick turnaround when they hit the mats on Monday when they travel to Gardner-Webb for their second conference match of the season.
Appalachian State at Campbell (1/10/14)
125: Dominic Parisi (APP) won by forfeit over T. Walker (CAM)
133: Chris Johnson (APP) dec. Drew Walker, 5-2 (CAM)
141: Michael Dahlstrom (CAM) maj. dec. Jake Smith (APP), 16-5
149: Brent Jorge (CAM) fall Javon Johnson (APP), (4:48)
157: Nick Hall (APP) dec. Grant Blumenthal (CAM), 3-1
165: Zack Strickland (APP) dec. Paul Duggan (CAM), 7-3
174: Cody Ryba (CAM) fall Colin Hedash (APP), (2:37)
184: Ville Heino (CAM) dec. Nick Vetell (APP), 8-3
197: Taylor McGiffen (CAM) maj. dec. Kacee Hutchinson (APP), 11-2
Hwt: Eloheim Palma (CAM) dec. Denzel Dejournette (APP), 7-4
To view the highlight video from the action tonight, click HERE.
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