THE MATCH FACTS

• Score:  Roanoke 32, Southern Virginia 12
• Records:  Maroons 4-1, 3-0 ODAC; Knights 1-1, 0-1 ODAC
• Location:  Buena Vista, Va. – Knight Arena
• The Short Story: The Roanoke wrestling team returned to dual action for the first time in 2023 and came away with a 32-12 ODAC win over Southern Virginia on the road in Buena Vista. Jude Robson, Corey Messick, and Zane Cox all won by fall against the Knights on Wednesday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was literally a quick start for the Maroons with the match starting at 125 lbs. where Robson made quick work against the Knights, picking up his pin in just 2:37. Not to be outdone, Messick followed up at 133 lbs. with fall over SVU in just 51 seconds to give the Maroons a quick 12-0 advantage. Nick Kauffman added four points to Roanoke's score with a 12-0 shutout, major decision to put the Maroons ahead 16-0. The Knights won their first match at 149 lbs. in a 3-2 decision. Cox then got the Maroons back on winning ways with his pin over the Knights in 1:17 at 157 lbs.
• SVU won their second match at 165 lbs. with a takedown with less than a minute left. With the Maroons leading 21-6, Josh Epperly (174 lbs.) and Steven Martinos (184 lbs.) each added four points to Roanoke's total, each scoring major decisions in their respective weight classes. After the Knights used a reversal into a pin at 197 lbs., Joshua Mancia capped the night with a 9-4 decision at heavyweight, giving the Maroons the final 32-12 ODAC win.

125 – Jude Robson (RC) fall Francisco Ramirez (SVU), 2:37; RC leads 6-0

133 – Corey Messick (RC) fall Jack Nelson (SVU), 0:51; RC leads 12-0

141 – Nick Kauffman (RC) maj. dec. Preston Holt (SVU), 12-0; RC leads 16-0

149 – Elijah Blackwell (SVU) dec. Andru Boyd (RC), 3-2; RC leads 16-3

157 – Zane Cox (RC) fall Weston Hirschi (SVU), 1:17; RC leads 22-3

165 – Morgan Peterson (SVU) dec. Jacob Cherry (RC)*, 5-4; RC leads 21-6

174 – Josh Epperly (RC) maj. dec. Tyson Hoopes (SVU), 13-5; RC leads 25-6

184 – Steven Martinos (RC) maj. dec. Ikia Garcia (SVU), 14-3; RC leads 29-6

197 – Weston Memmott (SVU) fall Cam Cavins (RC), 1:10; RC leads 29-12

Hwt. – Joshua Mancia (RC) dec. Igor Lakicevic (SVU), 9-4; RC wins 32-12

* RC deducted one team point following the match

UP NEXT

• The Maroons have a quick turnaround as they travel on Friday, January 13 and 14 to the 2023 Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va. The two-day event takes place at the Hampton Coliseum.