Jan. 20, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - - Eric Albright, Mike Sewell, Damian Johnson, Rocco Caponi and Kyle Narkiewicz each won their bouts as Virginia defeated UNC Greensboro, 20-15, Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gym. Virginia improved to 4-5 on the season while UNCG fell to 4-2.

Johnson at 165 pounds highlighted the meet when he overcame a 4-1 deficit in the first period to pin UNCG's Mark Ring at 2:16.

Albright, wrestling at 133 pounds, gave Virginia a 4-3 lead with his major decision win over Mitchell Johnson, 12-3.

UNCG took a 9-4 lead when Chris Bencivenga earned a decision at 141 pounds and Marcus Hannah used a sudden victory takedown in overtime to defeat Drew DiPasquale, 6-4, at 149 pounds.

Sewell held on for a 3-2 decision over Nate Berryman at 157 pounds to pull the Cavaliers within, 9-7. Johnson's pin gave UVa the lead for good at 13-9.

UNCG came within 13-12 after Joe Lowe won at 174 pounds, but Caponi recorded a major decision when he shut out Scott Snyder, 14-0 putting the Cavaliers ahead, 17-12. Narkiewicz then had a takedown in the final seconds of the third period to knock off Nick Clark, 8-6, giving UVa the meet.

UNCG's Joe Sheffield won at heavyweight to make the final, 20-15.

Virginia returns to action next weekend when the Cavaliers begin their ACC duals season. UVa wrestles at North Carolina Friday before taking on Virginia Tech Sunday in Richmond at St. Christopher's School.

Virginia 20, UNC Greensboro 15
Jeff Hedges (UNCG) dec. Ross Gitomer (UVa), 5-2 (TB2)
Eric Albright (UVa) major dec. Mitchell Johnson (UNCG), 12-3
Chris Bencivenga (UNCG) dec. Kellon Balum (UVa), 8-3
Marcus Hannah (UNCG) dec. Drew DiPasquale, (UVa). 6-4,SV
Mike Sewell (UVa) dec. Nate Berryman (UNCG), 3-2
Damian Johnson (UVa) fall Mark Ring (UNCG), 2:16
Joe Lowe (UNCG) dec. Mike Grogan (UVa), 10-4
Rocco Caponi (UVa) tech. fall Scott Snyder (UNCG), 14-0
Kyle Narkiewicz (UVa) dec. Nick Clark (UNCG), 8-6
Joe Sheffield (UNCG) dec. Scott Smith (UVa), 3-1