Bonus points proved to be the difference on Friday night (Dec.2), building an early lead and providing the insurance needed down the stretch as UVA (3-2) defeated Gardner-Webb (2-2) by a score of 22-18.
Despite the early wins, the home-standing Bulldogs came surging back down the stretch to pull within three points in the overall score with two matches remaining. Redshirt sophomore Chance McClure (Commerce, Ga.) picked up a major decision to clinch the dual match for the Cavaliers.
Freshman Jack Mueller (Dallas, Texas), seniors Will Mason (Virginia Beach, Va.) and George DiCamillo (Highland Heights, Ohio), and junior Andrew Atkinson (Lynchburg, Va.) joined McClure (Commerce, Ga.) in wins to push the Cavaliers to victory. Mueller, DiCamillo, Atkinson and McClure all picked up bonus points as Virginia secured the win by four points.
“Bonus points from Jack, George and Andrew continue to be big for this team,” said Virginia head coach Steve Garland. “Those three have really set the tone for our program the whole year. However, the hero of the night is Chance McClure. He has been battling all year and has been putting in so much extra work. It was great to see him get the major decision to ice the dual. He really wrestled well tonight.
“We have another ranked team coming up on Sunday at Chattanooga, so we need to refocus and finish out the weekend.”
Mueller started things strong at 125 pounds, remaining undefeated on the season and posting at least a major decision for the seventh time in his nine matches. Mason followed that up with a decision at 133 pounds before DiCamillo pinned his opponent at 141 pounds to push the Cavaliers to a 14-0 lead through the first four matches.
Gardner- Webb got on the board with a decision at 149 pounds before Atkinson would snag his major decision at 157 pounds. The Bulldogs then picked up victories at 174 and 184 pounds before McClure would clinch the match with his major decision at 197 pounds.
Virginia will return to action on Sunday (Dec. 4) when the Cavaliers face No. 25 Chattanooga at 1 p.m. Fans can watch the match through a live stream linked at VirginiaSports.com.
UVA 22, Gardner-Webb 18
- 125: No. 15 Jack Mueller (UVA) def. Landon LoAlbo, TF, 16-1; UVA 5, GWU 0
- 133: Will Mason (UVA) def. Phillip Anderson, Dec., 9-5; UVA 8, GWU 0
- 141: No. 10 George DiCamillo (UVA) def. Ryan Hull, Fall, 2:07; UVA 14, GWU 0
- 149: Chris Vasser def. Sam Krivus (UVA), Dec., 2-0; UVA 14, GWU 3
- 157: No. 17 Andrew Atkinson (UVA) def. Ryan Mosley, Major Dec., 8-0; UVA 18, GWU 3
- 165: No. 12 Tyler Marinelli def. Cam Harrell (UVA), Dec., 3-1; UVA 18, GWU 6
- 174: Austin Trott def. Ray Bethea (UVA), Fall, 1:53; UVA 18, GWU 12
- 184: No. 20 Hunter Gamble def. Will Schany (UVA), Dec., 5-0; UVA 18-GWU 15
- 197: Chance McClure (UVA) def. Payton Mills, Major Dec., 10-2; UVA 22, GWU 15
- HWT: Boyce Cornwell def. Chuck Boddy (UVA), Dec., 6-4 (sv-1); UVA 22, GWU 18
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