Davidson College

Davidson Wrestlers Post a Pair of Wins in Tri-Meet at Anderson

ANDERSON, S.C. - Davidson won 13 of the 14 bouts wrestled, including pins by 149-pounder Scott Matthews and 184-pounder Sam O'Hair, in a three-team dual meet at Anderson University on Saturday afternoon, The Wildcats defeated Belmont Abbey, 39-6, and the host Trojans, 35-9, to improve to 5-8 overall on the season.

Against the Crusaders, freshman Ben Altman got things off on the right foot for Davidson with a major decision. The wins kept on coming until the Wildcats had to forfeit at heavyweight for Belmont Abbey's lone points. Matthews got the first pin of his career during the match, while O'Hair and junior Ben Graham at 157 earned major decisions.

Three tight decisions against Anderson gave Davidson a 6-3 lead before Matthews and Graham both posted major decisions to build the lead to 11 points. After junior Trebor Clavette won a 12-6 bout at 165, a forfeit victory at 174 followed by O'Hair's pin in 2:23 put the stamp on the match.

Davidson next wrestles against Appalachian State at home on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. The match can be viewed on-line via SoCon.tv as the Wildcats will try to beat the Mountaineers for the second straight year.

Davidson 39, Belmont Abbey 6
125 - Altman (D) major dec. Neidermeier, 8-0; DAV 4-0
133 - Chris Panfili (D) won by forfeit; DAV 10-0
141 - Jim Avola (D) dec. Appollen, 10-5; DAV 13-0
149 - Matthews (D) pinned Bates; DAV 19-0
157 - Graham (D) major dec. Phillips, 13-2; DAV 23-0
165 - Clavette (D) d. Bliss, 7-6; DAV 26-0
174 - Boyd (D) won by forfeit; DAV 32-0
184 - O'Hair (D) major dec. Cruz, 12-2; DAV 36-0
197 - Mike Waters (D) dec. Staton, 9-5; DAV 39-0
Hwt - Scales (BA) won by forfeit; DAV 39-6

Davidson 35, Anderson 9
125 - Altman (D) dec. Fleming, 6-5; DAV 3-0
133 - A. Wade (A) dec. Chris Panfili, 5-2; Tied 3-3
141 - Jim Avola (D) dec. DiCarlo, 6-0; DAV 6-3
149 - Matthews (D) major dec. Francis, 10-2; DAV 10-3
157 - Graham (D) major dec. N. Wade, 9-0; DAV 14-3
165 - Clavette (D) d. Godwin, 12-6; DAV 17-3
174 - Boyd (D) won by forfeit; DAV 23-3
184 - O'Hair (D) pinned Skiner, 2:23; DAV 29-3
197 - Mike Waters (D) won biy forfeit; DAV 35-3
Hwt - Lambert (A) won by forfeit; DAV 35-9

Dual Comes Down to Final Bout, But Davidson Comes Up Short Against VMI on the Mats, 25-19

DAVIDSON, N.C. - VMI heavyweight Scott Buhman scored the deciding victory for the second straight match, helping the visiting Keydets (4-5, 2-1 Southern Conference) to a thrilling 25-19 victory over Davidson (3-8, 0-3) on Sunday afternoon at Belk Arena.

The Wildcats entered the final bout trailing by two points, 21-19, when they sent sophomore Wil Carter, who had not wrestled all season due to an injury, to the mats at heavyweight. His task was to subdue Buhman, who had 20 wins already this season and in his last bout earned an overtime victory against Appalachian State to finish a four-point win. Buhman built up a 4-0 lead in the second period when Carter, giving at least 25 pounds, pulled off a reversal. But that was as close as it would get as Buhman pulled away for a major decision, 11-2, finishing the match.

The afternoon began well for Davidson as freshman Ben Altman scored a technical fall at 125. Following a VMI major decision at 133, senior Jim Avola registered his sixth pin of the season at 141, giving the 'Cats an 11-4 lead.

The Keydets came right back at 149 with a pin of their own by Sam Alvarenga for his 25th win of the season. Tommy Cunningham then recorded a major decision at 157, 10-2, against Davidson's Ben Graham, also taking the mat for the first time this year.

Facing their first deficit of the day at 14-11, the Wildcats turned to junior Trebor Clavette at 165. He came one point shy of a technical fall in his 15-1 major decision, helping Davidson retake the lead, 15-14.

VMI came up with a major decision at 174 before Wildcat sophomore Sam O'Hair returned the favor at 184, 13-0. But the Keydets got a 9-3 decision at 197 by Corry Murray, setting up the bout between Buhman and Carter.

Although the Wildcats wrestled at every weight class for the first time this year, they were without the services of their leading wrestler, 174-pounder Marcus Boyd, for the third straight match. Coach Bob Patnesky expects to have him back for Davidson's next meet on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Anderson (S.C.) against the host school and Belmont Abbey at 2 p.m.

"Having Marcus could have been the difference in the match," Coach Patnesky stated afterwards. "But we knew what we needed to do only to come up just short. Our guys wrestled their tails off today, and being able to wrestle at every weight again bodes well for the rest of the season."

VMI wrestles again next Saturday as well, but in Colorado Springs as the Keydets participate in the All-Academy Championships, starting at 11 a.m.

VMI 25, Davidson 19
125 - Ben Altman (DAV) tech. fall over Jonathan Pope, 17-1 (5:00); DAV 5, VMI 0
133 - Tyler Anthony (VMI) major dec. Chris Panfili (DAV), 10-2; DAV 5, VMI 4
141 - Jim Avola (DAV) pinned Brandon Franklin (VMI), 2:13; DAV 11, VMI 4
149 - Sam Alvarenga (VMI) pinned Scott Matthews (DAV), 1:08; DAV 11, VMI 10
157 - Tommy Cunningham (VMI) major dec. Ben Graham (DAV), 10-2; DAV 11, VMI 14
165 - Trebor Clavette (DAV) major dec. Vince Cole (VMI), 15-1; DAV 15, VMI 14
174 - Dustin McCabe (VMI) major dec. Kevin Cook (DAV), 11-3; DAV 15, VMI 18
184 - Sam O'Hair (DAV) major dec. Kyle Elgert (VMI), 13-0; DAV 19, VMI 18
197 - Corry Murray (VMI) dec. Mike Waters (DAV), 9-3; DAV 19, VMI 21
HWT - Scott Buhman (VMI) major dec. Wil Carter (DAV), 11-2; DAV 19, VMI 25

Forfeits Hold Davidson Wrestlers Back in 35-12 Loss at Gardner-Webb

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- Senior Jim Avola recorded his fifth pin of the season and Davidson won three of six bouts wrestled at a dual meet at Gardner-Webb. But due to injuries, the Wildcats were forced to forfeit four weight classes as the host Bulldogs won, 35-12. Davidson falls to 3-7 on the season while Gardner-Webb improves to 6-12-1.

The match started well for the 'Cats as freshman 125-pounder Ben Altman scored a 5-2 decision. After the Bulldogs recorded a technical fall at 133, Avola took down Chaz Franz in the middle of the second period for the pin at 4:06.

Sophomore Scott Matthews won a close match at 149. He fell behind 2-0 in the first period, then finally tied the score with a takedown in the third period. Thanks to 1:49 of riding time, Matthews picked up a 3-2 decision for his first dual victory of the year.

At this point, Davidson led 12-5, but forfeits at the next two weights put the Bulldogs ahead, 17-12. Two Gardner-Webb decisions at 174 and 184 finished the dual competition as the Wildcats forfeited the 197-pound and heavyweight classes.

Davidson returns to Belk Arena for its next match on Sunday afternoon when the Wildcats host VMI in a Southern Conference match on Alumni Day at 1 p.m. The dual meet will be videostreamed over the internet through SoCon.tv. Fans can sign up for a subscription by match or semester at the web site.

Gardner-Webb gets back on the mats Tuesday, Jan. 30 at Campbell for a match at 7 p.m.

Gardner-Webb 35, Davidson 12

125 -- Ben Altman (DAV) dec. Cortney Roberts (GW), 5-2
133 -- Rob Tate (GW) tech. fall Chris Panfili (DAV), 17-0
141 -- Jim Avola (DAV) pinned Chaz Franz, 4:06
149 -- Scott Matthews (DAV) dec. Ben Hoppenbrouwer (GW), 3-2
157 -- Dave Pelsang (GW) won by forfeit
165 -- Brendan Couture (GW) won by forfeit
174 -- Chad Davis (GW) dec. Kevin Cook (DAV), 7-3
184 -- Brandon Beach (GW) dec. Sam O'Hair (DAV), 5-2
197 -- Dustin Porter (GW) won by forfeit
HWT -- Nick Roehrick (GW) won by forfeit

Davidson's Boyd Named SoCon Wrestler of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference announced today that Davidson's Marcus Boyd has been named the league's Wrestler of the Week for the week of Jan. 10.

Boyd, a senior from Durham, N.C., led the Wildcats to their first two dual victories of the season. First he earned a 5-3 decision in Davidson's 33-6 loss to Buffalo and added a 7-5 win in the Wildcats' 33-12 loss to Clarion last Thursday. But then on Saturday, the 174-pounder helped Davidson earn its first two victories, most notably an 18-17 triumph over Duke. The Wildcats had not beaten the Blue Devils on the mats in 40 years. His slim 10-9 decision was just one of several tremendous efforts by Davidson grapplers that evening.

Boyd also scored a major decision in the Wildcats' 30-18 triumph over Princeton at Duke. For the week, he went 4-0 and improved to a team-best 17-7 overall and 4-1 in dual meets this season.

Davidson returns to the mats this Friday at the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va. At 11 a.m., the third-seeded Wildcats will square off against sixth-seeded Apprentice.

  Davidson Defeats Duke and Princeton on the Mats

DURHAM, N.C. -- Despite forfeiting two weight classes, the Davidson wrestling squad recorded its first two victories of the season on Saturday evening by pulling out a terrific 18-17 triumph over host Duke and a 30-18 match versus Princeton. Sophomore Kevin Cook had the deciding victory to help the Wildcats beat Duke, plus had his first career pin in the win over Princeton. Davidson is now 2-3 on the season.

Davidson led Duke 15-11 when Cook took the mat. But without a heavyweight, a six-point forfeit awaited the Wildcats after Cook's 197-pound bout. Cook delivered an 8-4 decision to clinch the first victory of the season for the Wildcats. Davidson also won the previous three bouts, including two one-point decisions, giving Cook the opportunity to come through in the clutch.

Both Princeton and Davidson forfeited two matches, but the Wildcats won four of the remaining six match-ups to score the 12-point triumph. Junior Trebor Clavette and senior Marcus Boyd posted major decisions at 165 and 174, respectively, before Cook pinned his opponent at 184, which clinched the victory for Davidson. Sophomore Sam O'Hair put the stamp on the victory with a major decision of his own at 197.

Davidson wrestles again next weekend at the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va., on Friday and Saturday.

Davidson 18, Duke 17
125 -- Ben Altman (Dav) dec. Kellan McKeon (Duke), 2-1 -- Dav 3, Duke -1*
133 -- Spencer Jasper (Duke) dec. Chris Panfili (Dav), 3-0 -- Dav 3, Duke 2
141 -- Jim Avola (Dav) dec. Philip Wightman (Duke), 11-6 -- Dav 6, Duke 2
149 -- Daniel Shvartsman (Duke) dec. Scott Matthews (Dav), Dav 6, Duke 5
157 -- Addison Nuding (Duke) won by forfeit -- Duke 11, Dav 6
165 -- Trebor Clavette (Dav) dec. Aaron Glover (Duke), 7-4 -- Duke 11, Dav 9
174 -- Marcus Boyd (Dav) dec. John Barone (Duke), 10-9 -- Dav 12, Duke 11
184 -- Sam O'Hair (Dav) dec. Dan Tulley (Duke), 2-1
197 -- Kevin Cook (Dav) dec. Patrick Keenum (Duke), 8-4
HWT -- Mike Tunick (Duke) wins by forfeit

*Duke's Kellan McKeon was docked a point due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Davidson 30, Princeton 18
125 -- Ben Altman (Dav) won forfeit
133 -- Chris Panfili (Dav) won forfeit
141 -- Danny Scotton (PU) dec. Jim Avola (Dav), 12-10
149 -- Jesse Palermo (PU) dec. Scott Matthews (Dav), 4-0
157 -- Aaron Casp (PU) won by forfeit
165 -- Trebor Clavette (Dav) major decision Matt Collins (PU), 16-5
174 -- Marcus Boyd (Dav) major dec. John Clore (PU), 18-6
184 -- Kevin Cook (Dav) pins Olver Noteware (PU), 5:27
197 -- Sam O'Hair (Dav) major dec. Zach Morse (PU), 10-2
HWT -- Kris Berr (PU) won by forfeit

Davidson Grapplers Place Eighth at Navy; Boyd Finishes in Third at 174

ANNAPOLIS, Md. The Davidson wrestling squad scored 42.5 points at the Navy Classic on Saturday, good enough for eighth out of 13 teams, and senior Marcus Boyd had the best finish for the Wildcats placing third at 174 pounds. Freshman Ben Altman scored a fifth-place finish at 125 and sophomore Sam OHair came in sixth for 184-pounders.

Seeded fourth for the meet, Boyd got off to a fine start by pinning Duquesnes Ryan Sula in 1:31, but faltered against Bucknells Shane Riccio in t he next bout, 10-3. In the consolation bracket, Boyd could not be beaten, winning by decisions of 11-6, 12-8 and 10-6 before the battle for third place. His opponent was Joe Clutter of West Virginia, who ended up getting disqualified, making Boyd the third-place finisher.

Like Boyd, Altman got off to a fine start, topping Bucknells Greg Hart, 7-4. He did not fare as well the next match, dropping a 15-7 decision to Jason Guffey of Bloomsburg. But in the wrestlebacks, Altman ripped off four consecutive victories before falling to Navys Alex Usztics. So Altman was pitted against Guffey again, and judging by Altmans 8-4 victory, he learned something from the first battle.

OHair began with a difficult task as he was paired up with the fifth-seeded Chance Litton of West Virginia. Despite a valiant effort, Hair dropped a 4-2 decision, sending him to the consolation bracket. He battled back, however, with 7-0 and 3-1 decisions, then a victory by fall in 1:04 o ver Bloomsburgs Eric Shaw. But fourth-seeded Matthew Parsons of Navy defeated OHair by a major decision, 10-1, and second-seeded Jared Ricotta of Duquesne won the fifth-place bout.

At 141, senior Jim Avola was seeded fifth, but suffered a 5-2 loss in the first round. In the consolation bracket, he picked up a pair of pins before being pinned himself, keeping him from placing for the Wildcats.

Junior Trebor Clavette was the top seed at 165, and after three consecutive victories by decision, was paired up against Andrew Rendos of Bucknell for the championship bout. Unfortunately, Clavette was disqualified and was not awarded a place.

Freshman Mike Waters opened the tournament seeded sixth, only to falter in his first bout to fall into the consolation bracket. Following a medical default and a 14-3 triumph, Waters came up just short of placing due to a 3-2 loss.

Davidson next takes to the mats in two weeks when it hosts the Davidson Open on Dec. 2.
Davidson Wrestling Finishes Season with a Winning Record for First Time in 24 Years

HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Davidson Wildcat wrestling squad finished the season above .500 thanks to a slim 22-20 victory at James Madison on Saturday afternoon. With the win, Davidson ends the regular season with an 8-7 record, while the host Dukes fell to 4-16.

Junior co-captain Patrick Coman got things started well for the Wildcats by earning a technical fall at 125, 16-0. Sophomore Jim Avola followed up with a pin at 133 for a quick 11-0 Davidson lead.

After an overtime loss at 141, freshman Benjamin Graham got the 'Cats back to their winning ways with a 15-4 major decision at 149. Fellow freshman Matt Pendle also won in a major way with a 10-2 victory at 157. But the 'Cats got their biggest lift when junior Ronnie Lofrese earned his first 165-pound win of the year, 6-4, to put Davidson up, 22-3, with four bouts to go.

James Madison tried to get on the comeback trail by earning a decision at 174. But when the Dukes managed just a major decision at 184, Davidson clinched the match.

Both Coman and Pendle finished the regular season with a team-best 24 victories, while Graham (23) and freshman Trebor Clavette (21) also broke the 20-win barrier.

Davidson will now prepare for the Southern Conference Tournament, which will take place at Mat Jam in Greensboro, N.C., next Saturday, March 5.

Davidson 22, James Madison 20
125    Patrick Coman (D) tech. fall Louis Sweet (JMU), 16-0    5-0
133    Jim Avola (D) pinned Shawn Horst (JMU) at 1:15    11-0
141    Brian Kibler (JMU) d. Matt Leonard (D), 11-9 (ot)    11-3
149    Benjamin Graham (D) major dec. Jeff Jacobs (JMU), 15-4    15-3
157    Matt Pendle (D) major dec. Derick Schoenly (JMU), 10-2    19-3
165    Ronnie Lofrese (DAV) d. Aaron Swift (JMU), 6-4    22-3
174    Brian Lambert (JMU) d. Trebor Clavette (D), 11-7    22-6
184    Jason Chalfant (JMU) major dec. Morgan Koukopoulos (D), 15-6    22-10
197    Zach Winfrey (JMU) major dec. Jayson Powers (D), 16-4    22-14
Hwt    Chris Cvitan (JMU) pinned Joseph Scognamiglio (D) at 0:45    22-20