Flames open strong at Virginia Duals but fall short
January 12, 2013 | Hampton, Va.
Liberty University's wrestling team advanced in the championship bracket of the American College Division on Friday's first day of the 33rd Virginia Duals tournament at Hampton Coliseum with a 26-17 triumph over top-seeded Roger Williams University. However, the Flames, who finished third in last year's event, went 0-2 in Saturday's competition and settled for fifth place in the eight-team bracket.
Steven's Institute, the eventual champion of the division, scored a 29-15 victory over Liberty in Saturday's championship semifinals before the Flames fell to Central Florida 35-18 in the consolation semifinals.
Central Florida, which had edged Apprentice 25-24 in the previous round, narrowly escaped Nassau Community College 23-19 in the consolation final to wrap up third place.
Steven's Institute defeated SUNY Brockport 22-18 in the championship final.
In Friday's opener against Roger Williams, as usual, the Flames fared especially well in the upperweight classes, not losing a match after 165 pounds. Royal Brettrager, returning from an injury that kept him out of the Citrus Classic in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., two weeks ago, pinned Shane Parcel 3 minutes, 25 seconds into their 184-pound match. Heavyweight Andrew Wilson also recorded a fall, over Colin Egan in 3:52, after Peter Tatanish (149), Marcus Miller (157), Keyshaun Ward (174), and Aaron Thompson (197) scored decisions.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
