LEXINGTON, VA. - The Bulldog wrestling team dropped their final dual of the regular season to rival VMI by a final score of 23-22.

Five Bulldogs picked up wins in the tight matchup over the Keydets with one pin, two major decisions, one technical fall and one decision.

133: Paddy Kearney (CIT) over Cliff Conway (VMI) (Fall 2:50)

• Kearney took down Cliff Conway to record his 16th victory this season and sixth pin on the year.
• The senior got down early after Conway recorded a takedown and nearfall in the first minute of competition before Kearny would rally for a reversal and quick pin in 2:50.

149: Chon Porter (CIT) over Zach Schmitt (VMI) (MD 16-5) ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Porter picked up his second consecutive SoCon victory by taking down Schmitt in major decision fashion
• The freshman tallied a trio of takedowns, a pair of reversals and a four-point near fall to take the win

165: Dazjon Casto (CIT) over Luke Niksic (VMI) (TF 16-1 2:51)  ​​​​​​​

• Casto improves to 27-19 on the year with a technical fall over Niksic of VMI. 
• He recorded the TF with only nine seconds remaining in the first period after notching 12 points on three near falls 

197: Sawyer Root (CIT) over Chris Beck (VMI) (Dec 1-0)  ​​​​​​​

• Nationally ranked Sawyer Root remains undefeated in the SoCon after defeating Beck by a 1-0 decision 
• The lone point came from an escape by Root in the second period.
• Root now improves to 35-13 on the year and is currently ranked No. 25 nationally by the NCAA Coaches Poll

285: Michael McAleavey (CIT) over Trey Momon (VMI) (MD 14-4) ​​​​​​​

• McAleavey picks up his first victory after a five match skid to improve to 15-21 on the year.
• The heavyweight tallied four takedowns, a four-point near fall and an escape to win by major decision.
• He will head into the SoCon Championships with a pair of conference wins.

125: Derek Shockey (VMI) over (CIT) (For.)  
133: Paddy Kearney (CIT) over Cliff Conway (VMI) (Fall 2:50)
141: Dom Gallo (VMI) over Keegan Connolly (THCI) (TF 17-2 6:35)
149: Chon Porter (CIT) over Zach Schmitt (VMI) (MD 16-5) ​​​​​​​
157: Darren Ostrander (VMI) over Rian Burris (CIT) (Dec 12-8)  
165: Dazjon Casto (CIT) over Luke Niksic (VMI) (TF 16-1 2:51)  
174: Neal Richards (VMI) over Cooper Youngblood (CIT) (Fall 0:26)
184: Max Gallahan (VMI) over Martin Duane (CIT) (Dec 8-2)  
197: Sawyer Root (CIT) over Chris Beck (VMI) (Dec 1-0)  
285: Michael McAleavey (CIT) over Trey Momon (VMI) (MD 14-4)


The Citadel wrestling team will travel to Boone, N.C. on Sunday, March 10 to participate in the Southern Conference Championships.