No. 17 Wrestling Cruises to Two Opening Wins

Virginia Wrestling, who's ranked as high as 17 nationally, with six Cavaliers being ranked in various preseason polls, are off to a great start for the 2009-10 season. Consider this a warmup weekend, as the Hoos still need to face No. 16 American, Bucknell (who has four ranked individuals) and Gardner-Webb at the ACC Challenge next week, and No. 13 Central Michigan, perennial powerhouse Hofstra and Sacred Heart at the Northeast Duals in Albany, N.Y. later this month.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The No. 17 Virginia wrestling team opened its 2009-10 season with a pair of wins Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium, downing Anderson (S.C.), 37-9, and Campbell, 36-6. The Cavaliers won 16 of their 20 individual matches in the two victories.

Third-ranked Chris Henrich (Jr., Lansdale, Pa.) had a strong start to his season. The reigning All-American recorded a technical fall and pin at 174 pounds and needed less than a period in both.

Matt Snyder (R-Fr., Lewistown, Pa.) and Derek Valenti (So., Newton, N.J.) each recorded a pin and tech fall at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively. Snyder was making his first appearance as a Cavalier after transferring from Bloomsburg University.

Mike Salopek (R-Fr., North Huntingdon, Pa.) added a pair of wins at 184 pounds, while Kellon Balum (Sr., Herndon, Pa.) posted a fall and major decision at 149.

At 197 pounds, ninth-ranked Brent Jones (Jr., Burke, Va.) needed just 29 seconds to pin Anderson's Luis Audelo for his 35th career fall, breaking the Virginia school record.

Michael Chaires (R-So., Scotia, N.Y.) made his return to the mat after a year off with an 8-3 decision over Campbell's Chris Mazzatta in the 165-pound class. Dan Gonsor (R-So., Cleveland, Ohio) also looked sharp in coming off a redshirt season as he racked up a tech fall over Campbell's Jake Fose at 157 pounds.

In a neutral-site match to start the day, Anderson recorded a trio of pins to slip past Campbell, 21-20.

Virginia travels to Chapel Hill, N.C., Nov. 15 to compete in the ACC Challenge. UVa will face No. 16 American, Bucknell and Gardner Webb.

Courtesy of VirginiaSports.com