2014 Virginia Duals
Action Photos

HAMPTON, Va. -- Ferrum College's wrestling team upset #4 seed Liberty University 19-18 in the opening round of the 2014 Virginia Duals this morning at the Hampton Coliseum. The two teams are competing in the eight-team American College Division.

Tate Dulany gave Ferrum the win with a pin in the 285-pound weight class. The Panthers trailed 18-12 after nine bouts. Dulany's pin in the third and final period tied the score at 18-18, and the Panthers were awarded an additional team point on the #2 criteria (most pins). The #1 criteria (most wins) was negated since both teams won five bouts. The #2 criteria awarded Ferrum a team point for most pins, with Dulany's fall being the only one in 10 matches.

Ferrum's Robert Cunningham opened the match with a 7-4 decision over Tim Nordan at 125 pounds and the Panthers led 3-0. Ryan Diehl scored a tech fall over Justin Zimmerman at 133 to give the Flames a 5-3 lead after two matches. Logan Meister then put Ferrum back out in front 6-5 when he edged Liberty's Colin Lewis 4-3 at 141.

Peter Tatanish posted a 6-4 win over Ferrum's Josh Lancaster at 149, and Chase Boontjer major decisioned Damon Minor 12-3 at 157 to put Liberty back out in front 12-6. Josh Alston then posted an 8-2 decision for Ferrum over Joshua Ferenczy at 165, to close the gap to 12-9 Liberty.

Josh Sturgill made the team score 15-9 Flames with a 6-3 win at 174 over Ferrum's Thomas Smith. Corbin Ramos built a lead then held on for a 12-10 nailbiter win for the Panthers at 184, cutting LU's lead to 15-12.

Liberty's Aaron Thompson then scored a takedown with two seconds left in regualtion to earn a 3-1 win over Darreua McCrea at 197, and the Flames went up 18-12 with one match left. Dulany had Zach Newton on his back twice earlier in the 285-pound match, but Newton was able to wriggle free both times. The third time was the charm, with Dulany scoring the fall at 5:47.

Ferrum (2-1) advanced to the semifinals with the win. Coach Nate Yetzer's team will face NCAA Div. II UNC-Pembroke Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The Braves are the American College Division top seed. UNC-Pembroke is the alma-mater of Ferrum Assistant Coach Brandon Bradley.

Final Results (Photos)
125 - Robert Cunningham (Ferrum) dec. Tim Nordan (Liberty) Dec 7-4
133 - Ryan Diehl (Liberty) tech fall over Justin Zimmerman (Ferrum) 15-0
141 - Logan Meister (Ferrum) dec. Collin Lewis (Liberty) 4-3
149 - Peter Tatanish (Liberty) dec. Josh Lancaster (Ferrum) 6-4
157 - Chase Boontjer (Liberty) major dec. Damon Minor (Ferrum) 12-3
165 - Josh Alston (Ferrum) dec. Joshua Ferenczy (Liberty) 8-2
174 - Josh Sturgill (Liberty) dec. Thomas Smith (Ferrum) 6-3
184 - Corbin Ramos (Ferrum) dec. Matthew Reynolds (Liberty) 12-10
197 - Aaron Thompson (Liberty) dec. Darreus McCrea (Ferrum) 3-1
285 - Tate Dulany (Ferrum) pin Zach Newton (Liberty) 5:47

Team score 18-18 after 10 bouts
Ferrum score was adjusted, criteria #2
Score: Ferrum 19, Liberty 18