SALEM, Va. - Shenandoah University saw its 22nd intercollegiate sport officially get started Saturday as the men's wrestling team opened its year at the US Marine Corps Star City Classic.

With seven wrestlers competing over six weight classes, freshman Hunter Thompson earned his spot in the record book by recording the Hornets first-ever victory.

Thompson, competing at 165 lbs., pinned Dalton Biggs from Emory & Henry at 58 seconds into the second period for win No. 1.

Thompson, Morgan Robinson and Anthony Olsen all finished in fourth place of their respective weight classes.

RESULTS

David Smith (149)
Quarterfinal - Tyler Ramirez (Ferrum College) won by decision over David Smith (Shenandoah University) (Dec 4-3)
Cons. Round 2 - David Smith (Shenandoah University) won by fall over Charles Tisby (Ferrum College) (Fall 1:46)
Cons. Round 3 - Morgan Robinson (Shenandoah University) won by major decision over David Smith (Shenandoah University) (Maj 11-2)

Morgan Robinson (149)
Champ. Round 1 - David Shelton (Averett) won by decision over Morgan Robinson (Shenandoah University) (Dec 4-1)
Cons. Round 1 - Morgan Robinson (Shenandoah University) won by fall over Caden Dalton (Ferrum College) (Fall 1:37)
Cons. Round 2 - Morgan Robinson (Shenandoah University) won by fall over Caleb Harmon (Averett) (Fall 3:46)
Cons. Round 3 - Morgan Robinson (Shenandoah University) won by major decision over David Smith (Shenandoah University) (Maj 11-2)
Cons. Semi - Morgan Robinson (Shenandoah University) won by fall over David Shelton (Averett) (Fall 3:34)
3rd Place Match - Charlie Hudson (Liberty) won by decision over Morgan Robinson (Shenandoah University) (Dec 4-2)

Thomas Domerese (165)
Champ. Round 1 - Cleon Lawton (Averett) won by decision over Thomas Domerese (Shenandoah University) (Dec 7-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Thomas Domerese (Shenandoah University) won by fall over Dalton Biggs (Emory & Henry) (Fall 1:48)
Cons. Round 3 - Alex Turley (Averett) won by fall over Thomas Domerese (Shenandoah University) (Fall 2:07)

Hunter Thompson (165)
Quarterfinal - Hunter Thompson (Shenandoah University) won by fall over Dalton Biggs (Emory & Henry) (Fall 3:58)
Semifinal - David Over (Liberty) won by fall over Hunter Thompson (Shenandoah University) (Fall 2:46)
Cons. Semi - Hunter Thompson (Shenandoah University) won by forfeit over Brandon Harrison (Ferrum College) (FF)
3rd Place Match - Alex Turley (Averett) won by fall over Hunter Thompson (Shenandoah University) (Fall 5:15)

Dylan Weaver (174)
Champ. Round 1 - Dylan Weaver (Shenandoah University) won by fall over Brenden Blevins (Emory & Henry) (Fall 0:21)
Quarterfinal - Elijah Martin (Ferrum College) won by fall over Dylan Weaver (Shenandoah University) (Fall 4:46)
Cons. Round 3 - Dylan Weaver (Shenandoah University) won by decision over Kaine Morris (Unattached) (Dec 7-3)
Cons. Semi - Joshua Johnson (Ferrum College) won by disqualification over Dylan Weaver (Shenandoah University) (DQ)

Elijah Mosley (197)
Champ. Round 1 - Elijah Mosley (Shenandoah University) won by fall over James Henry (Averett) (Fall 3:10)
Quarterfinal - Josiah Murphy (Liberty) won by decision over Elijah Mosley (Shenandoah University) (Dec 8-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Sean Gillespie (Liberty) won by fall over Elijah Mosley (Shenandoah University) (Fall 1:47)

Anthony Olsen (285)
Champ. Round 1 - Anthony Olsen (Shenandoah University) won by fall over Wade Wheeler (Emory & Henry) (Fall 3:50)
Quarterfinal - Anthony Olsen (Shenandoah University) won by fall over George Mitchell (Ferrum College) (Fall 3:48)
Semifinal - Jeff Allen (Liberty) won by decision over Anthony Olsen (Shenandoah University) (Dec 6-1)
Cons. Semi - Anthony Olsen (Shenandoah University) won by fall over Donovan Pinnix (Emory & Henry) (Fall 0:50)
3rd Place Match - Trent Ragland (Averett) won by fall over Anthony Olsen (Shenandoah University) (Fall 4:55)

QUOTABLE

"It was exciting to finally be competing," head coach Tim McGuire said. "Our wrestlers had a good day in the program's debut.  Every member of the team earned a win today and three wrestlers placed in the top four (of their weight class).
 
"We felt some nerves being a team of freshmen in their first college tournament, but after the first two matches, Hunter Thompson earned Shenandoah's first win with a pin over his Emory & Henry opponent.  That got us rolling.

"Thompson had a fantastic day, taking 4th place and really wrestled well through every position. Morgan Robinson was able to avenge his first match loss by pinning the same opponent to take 3rd place. Anthony Olsen placed 4th and beat a Division 1 transfer in a difficult bracket.

"I am very proud of how each wrestler competed.  Today we had a lot of fun."

UP NEXT

Shenandoah has its first-ever home meet on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. versus Garrett College.
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