MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University wrestling team put on a dominant performance at the Knockout Christmas Classic, defeating three teams on Saturday at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.
The Mountaineers (6-1, 1-1 Big 12) began the day in a tight battle with the North Dakota State Bison.
Redshirt junior
Jace Schafer earned a win by decision against North Dakota State's Tristan Daughtery in the 125 pound match to get the day started. West Virginia quickly lost momentum as the Bison secured wins to lead, 12-7, early on.
However, fifth-year No. 3
Peyton Hall earned his fifteenth win of the season with a 17-2 technical fall over Boeden Greenley. That was followed by wins from redshirt sophomore No. 29
Brody Conley (174) and redshirt senior No. 26
Dennis Robin (184) to put WVU up, 21-12.
The Bison tied it up at 21 after redshirt senior No. 31
Austin Cooley (197) and fifth-year
Michael Wolfgram lost (285).
West Virginia earned the win, 22-21, based on a 49-43 difference in match points.
The Mountaineers quickly gained momentum in their match against the Wisconsin Badgers, jumping out to a 21-10 lead. Freshman
Rune Lawrence earned the final victory for the Mountaineers with his first career major decision over Wisconsin's Wyatt Ingham, 17-8.
WVU defeated Wisconsin, 25-13.
In the final match of the classic, West Virginia flashed its dominance against the Campbell Camels.
Schafer began with a win by fall over No. 28 Anthony Molton, 6-0. Back-to-back decisions by the Camels tied the match at 6-6.
However, the Mountaineers earned the next six victories to lead 31-6. West Virginia earned a 31-12 win over the Camels to wrap up the Knockout Christmas Classic.
North Dakota State Results
- 125: Jace Schafer (WVU) dec. Tristan Daugherty (NDSU), 3-0
- 133: Kyle Burwick (NDSU) tech. fall over Tommy Maddox (WVU), 15-0
- 141: No. 18 Jordan Titus (WVU) major dec. Michael Olson (NDSU), 13-2
- 149: No. 29 Gavin Drexler (NDSU) dec. Michal Dolan (WVU), 3-2
- 157: Maxwell Petersen (NDSU) major dec. Sasha Gavronsky (WVU), 11-1
- 165: No. 3 Peyton Hall (WVU) tech. fall over Boeden Greenley (NDSU), 17-2
- 174: No. 29 Brody Conley (WVU) dec. Daniel Magayna (NDSU), 9-3
- 184: No. 26 Dennis Robin (WVU) won by fall over Aidan Brenot (NDSU) [T - 6:59]
- 197: Tayshaun Glover (NDSU) dec. No. 31 Austin Cooley (WVU), 7-4
- HWT: Andrew Blackburn-Forst (NDSU) won by fall over Michael Wolfgram (WVU) [T – 6:19]
Wisconsin Results
Campbell Results
- 125: Jace Schafer (WVU) won by fall over No. 28 Anthony Molton (CU) [T – 3:29]
- 133: No. 25 Domenic Zaccone (CU) dec. Jett Strickenberger (WVU), 7-2
- 141: No. 28 Shannon Hanna (CU) dec. Jordan Titus (WVU), 4-2
- 149: Sam Hillegas (WVU) tech. fall over Wynton Denkins (CU), 19-0
- 157: Sasha Gavronsky (WVU) dec. Seth Larson (CU), 8-2
- 165: No. 3 Peyton Hall (WVU) tech. fall Ryan Bollentino, 18-0
- 174: No. 29 Brody Conley (WVU) major dec. Brant Cracraft (CU), 8-0
- 184: No. 26 Denis Robin (WVU) tech. fall over Mike Slade (CU), 17-1
- 197: Rune Lawrence (WVU) dec. No. 21 Levi Hopkins (CU), 9-7
- HWT: Lane Kiser (CU) won by forfeit
West Virginia returns to action against the Princeton Tigers on Jan. 4, in Princeton, New Jersey.
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