Jan. 28, 2006

Greensboro, N.C. - The UNC Greensboro wrestling team improved to 3-0 in the Southern Conference and 9-1 overall for the first time in school history as the Spartans bested The Citadel 27-10 Friday evening at Fleming Gymnasium.

The Citadel (4-8, 0-2) freshman Anthony Easter put the Bulldogs out in front 4-0 early when he claimed an 11-0 major decision victory over Justin Walp in the 125 lbs. weight class to open the dual match. Spartan (9-1, 3-0) sophomore Chris Bencivenga gave UNCG its first points of the evening as the Davie, FL product recorded a 17-11 decision over Michael Arias in the 133 lbs. weight class, leaving UNCG trailing by a single point after a pair of bouts.

In the 141 lbs. weight class, Sean Markey gave the visiting Bulldogs a 7-3 lead as he earned a dramatic 4-3 win over 17th-ranked (USA Today/NWCA/InterMat Coaches Poll) Kevin Artis. Cody Harrington put the Spartans right back into the thick of the bout when he defeated Matt Bullwinkel 12-6 in the 149 lbs. weight class, once again leaving UNCG trailing by a point.

Sophomore Andrew Krieger put the Spartans out in front 9-7 when he claimed a thrilling 3-2 win in the 157 lbs. weight class. The Citadel, however, regained the lead following the 165 lbs. weight class bout when Dan Thompson defeated Mark Ring 4-0 to give the Bulldogs a slim one point edge.

Joe Lowe put UNCG right back in the lead, 13-10, as the Lakeland, FL native posted a dominating 12-3 major decision victory over Darius Caldwell at 174 lbs. Freshman Kane Smith provided the Spartans with some much needed breathing room when the Cattaraugus, NY product posted a dominating 17-0 technical fall over Allen Elliot to put UNCG out in front 18-10 with but two bouts remaining.

Daren Burns, the 20th-ranked wrestler this week (USA Today/NWCA/InterMat Coaches Poll), sealed the match for the Spartans when he earned a 5-2 win over Mark Thompson in the 197 lbs. weight class. In the 285 lbs. weight class, 12th-ranked (USA Today/NWCA/InterMat Coaches Poll) Tyler Shovlin recorded UNCG's seventh victory of the evening and his 18th overall when he collected a fall victory in 4:13.

UNCG returns to the mat when the Spartans travel to Raleigh to battle North Carolina State February 1 at 7:30 pm. The Spartans are 2-0 against ACC foes this season, having knocked off Virginia and Duke earlier in the season.

AGATE: UNCG 27, The Citadel 10

125 - Anthony Easter (The Citadel) def. Justin Walp (UNCG) by major decision, 11-0

133 - Chris Bencivenga (UNCG) def. Michael Arias (The Citadel) by decision, 17-11

141 - Sean Markey (The Citadel) def. Kevin Artis (UNCG) by decision, 4-3

149 - Cody Harrington (UNCG) def. Matt Bullwinkel (The Citadel) by decision, 12-6

157 - Andrew Krieger (UNCG) def. Chris Humphries (The Citadel) by decision, 3-2

165 - Dan Thompson (The Citadel) def. Mark Ring (UNCG) by decision, 4-0

174 - Joe Lowe (UNCG) def. Darius Caldwell (The Citadel) by major decision, 12-3

184 - Kane Smith (UNCG) def. Allen Elliott (The Citadel) by technical fall, 17-0

197 - Daren Burns (UNCG) def. Mark Thompson (The Citadel) by decision, 5-2

285 - Tyler Shovlin (UNCG) def. John Buck (The Citadel) by fall, 4:13